I am from Gregory’s well used workshop, and countless hours spent there.

I am from renovation, and construction.

From a place that is always in need of repair.

From new cupboards, and enclosures.

To floors in need of great mending.

I am from the broken concrete foundation, that is not longer a great barrier.

I am from a damp basement, and soaked, sage, bathroom towels.

From the rota-router that is always near.

I am from the room my father built with his bare hands,

For it needed repair too.

 

I am from a filled cork board in my bedroom,

From the tickets of movies, dances, and plays.

I am from old letters, and  photos that line it,

Even the neon glow from my promposal sitting just above.

I am from the art that I and others have made to either side.

I am from the creative ones and paint covered hands.

From late nights staring at a blank canvas.

I am from artists and writers block.

From hot cocoa at 2 am from my worried mother.

I am from sleep deprivation just like any other.

From desperation and preparation,

yet i am still from sleep deprivation.

 

I am from the back porch we built brick, by brick.

From that pattern that will always lie deep in my subconscious.

I am from the many times I have moved my large dogs

from sleeping in the sand where stones need to lie.

I am from wiping dirt off their sun-soaked white fur.

From their sweet tired eyes.

I am from the meaning of puppy dog eyes,

 that controls my entire life.

I am long mornings stuck in puppy dog pile.

From deep sighs as I abandon them on the sofa,

I am from the soon time that I will have to bare my life, full of days without them.

 

I am from long deep conversations at the 50’s dinner table.

From that, it also needed mending.

I am from the steak, potatoes, and assorted vegetables

that are fed every night, but always taste just fine.

 

From my Bri who taught me to cook,

To laugh,

To lie,

To smile,

And to cry,

To grieve,

To feel deep sorrow,

And to miss,

And to mourn,

and learn how to move on.

 

I am from Dawn

From expression and laughter.

To feel warmth where this none.

I am from tongue twisters and facts,

That fill minds with wonder.

I am from gorgeous ideas and disastrous thoughts.

From auras and visions I have yet let myself ponder.

 

I am from smart minds

that should not make it as far as they did,

And did not plan to make it this far either.

I am from great minds that lived long enough to imprint,

Then leave.

I Am From Great Minds.

I am from builders and breakers,

And liars, and thieves.

But even as these, I am from great minds.

~S. Kiehn (2/6/18)