Where I am From

I am from Swingsets

From pinwheels and dusty attics

I am from the pool in the back yard

Mosquitos, untreated wood

It smelled like mowed grass and charcoal,

I am from the Monkey tree, the pecan tree

Dirty feet crawling into bed

I am from the muddy Mother’s days and brown eyes

From Lula Mae and Homer                                  

From Ethel and Vivian

I’m from salt on the watermelon

And footprints on the windshield

From call and let me know you’re home safe

And because I said so

I’m from Cherokee

Fried Squash and Chicken N’ Dumplings

From the finger lost breaking up a dog fight and the dog tags the men in my family have worn around their necks

I’m from going to church makes you a Christian as much as sitting in the garage makes you a car

From sleeping in on Sunday mornings      

I’m from working hard or hardly working

 Depends on the day