Where I am From

I am from Georgetown,

from "keeping Austin weird"

to the towering skyscrapers

of Houston, Texas.

I am from waking up early,

to the smell of waffles and bacon

cooking in the kitchen,

from late night movies,

to buttered popcorn hidden

in the grooves of the couch.

I am from things that I believe in.

I am from being a vegetarian,

and a Unitarian Universalist.

I am from having an identical twin,

and always being mistaken 

for someone else.

I am from the track

from the smell of gunpowder

as the ref pulls the trigger,

from the adrenaline pumping hard,

heavy footfalls, sporadic, 

yet creating rhythm,

a different beat from each runner,

a melody of breaths

as we try and catch the air.

I am from my mom

letting me help cook in the kitchen,

from my dad,

teaching me about different plants in his garden,

from my brother,

taking me on camping trips

to my sister and I

going everywhere and doing everything together. 

I am from nighttime studying,

pizza and chips scattered on the floor,

from helping friends with homework,

to calling them up at 1 a.m.

for last-minute assignments. 

I am from the smell of campfire smoke,

imbedded in the deepest folds of my clothes,

from lush green forests

to crisp ocean air.

I am from adventure,

from experience,

from countless memories,

and endless opportunities.