Where I am from

I am from welfare, government cheese, and handouts.

Broken swing-sets pretending to be castles,

Tattered clothes pretending to be gowns,

Sticks pretending to be swords that knighted us into more than just poor kids who could barely read.

I am from making mistakes,

Setbacks that change the perspective in my unconnected brain.

I am from eleven houses and angry landlords.

From looking in the mirror to see the mother I do not know and who does not know me.

I am from studying,

Late nights to conquer that A.

I am from dried up Crayola markers and flashcards.

I am from determination,

Yes from every college and no money to go.

I am from community college,

From the smartest decision in my life hidden in my most prudish of opinions.

I am from never give up.

I am from I will not be my parents,

From two of every holiday,

From missed child support payments and court dates.

I am from laughter,

From I was born into this,

From I will break out of this.

I am from mental illness,

Thinking a porcelain doll is a real baby,

Thinking a deal or no deal hand held game actually spits out money.

I am from lost traditions,

My nana’s dumplings,

My papaw’s military boots,

My grandma’s awful attempt at gift giving.

I am from one grandfather.

I am from tobacco smoke.

I am incredible bouts of sadness and occasional but meaningful bouts of happiness.