Where I'm From

I was blown in from the mountains of Denver to the banks of the Mississippi

To barefoot summer nights lit by fireflies

Swallowed by the perfume of honeysuckle and heat

Long, sweaty practices with girls turned to family

To fall Friday night games under the lights

Family movies on Thanksgiving

With tears then and since as July 5, 2010 came and went

Working hard, playing harder.

Then dragging yourself out of bed Sunday morning

To pulling up at Wal-Mart in search of late-night curly fries

Laughing with my twin of a best friend until there's no more time left in the day

Losing hearts and breaking them

Boys play their games as my friends try to learn the rules

Vicious ice storms that suck out our small town's color

Then sledding down slick hilltops, holding on to our hats

Giggling hysterically while trying on fancy dresses we've only dreamed of wearing

Then searching for just the right tie to match

"I'm just a phone call away!"

My dad calls out the same thing every time I step out the door

My mother, my opposite

My father, whose personality I mirror

Yet neither gave me their physical traits

I was blown in from the majestic mountains of Denver... and I'm here to stay