I Am From

I am from pine trees,

from grass and the open sky.

I am from the marshmallows,

crisping over the fire.

I am from the mosquito bites,

the hot days and red dirt.

I'm from cleats and sweat,

the sound of the ball hitting my foot.

I'm from the heat and the cold,

the wind and the rain.

I'm from the long drives,

            and the early mornings.

I'm from the smell of dinner in the kitchen,

four chairs around the table.

I'm from the laughter and the spilled milk

            and the ketchup on the ceiling.

I'm from tails wagging and tongues hanging out.

I'm from losing myself

            in words on a page.

I'm from wrapping paper on the floor

around a glowing tree.

A man, a woman and a baby in a manger

sitting close on the shelf.

I'm from the water,

rising anew.