I am from books.

From the animal shadows in the morning,

and from the fire in the fireplace at night.

I am from the forest,

who's darkness I have come to know,

and love.

I am from walking in the school hallway arm in arm,

from Johnny Cash and Rick Springfield.

I am from the "speak up" 's at school

and the "quit talking" 's from friends.

I am from "don't say Titanic"

and "just get on with it."

I am from grandmas,

who teach me what I need to know,

and from the grandpa

who launches discussions about history.

I am from the flicking of pages in a good book.

In the closets are folders,

gorged with kindergarten school projects,

and saturated with old photos.

I am from a family,

where there is a gleam in everyone's eye,

because I am,

their evil genius.