Where I’m From

By Rebecca Cantrell

I am from Mother Nature,

From the sturdy trees that were my jungle gym and the rich earth smelling dirt.

My hair being kissed by the sun’s pale yellow lips

The concrete my canvas, my escape

Ready for any adventure my imagination guides me.

I am from “About a Girl”, “All My Life”, and “Under the Bridge”

Head banging in the car seat at the age of three

My hair flying in all directions, becoming tangled like the tape from a cassette

The drum becoming my steady heart beat

Pretending to be a rock star performing on stage.

They are from North and South, the bitter cold and blistering heat

One with pale blonde hair, the other with midnight black

Slender and sinewy

The “nerd” and the “jock”

Two opposites, finding each other on New Year’s Eve.

I am from Cantrell and Lupton.

From trying my best and never give up

Working smart, not hard

I am from love and compassion

Humor and laughter.

I am Southern as peaches and peanuts

The smell of smoked meat at local festivals

From the scorching sun and sticky humidity

From timeless manners, “yes ma’am and no ma’am”.

From a place I will always call my home.