Where I'm From

Where I’m From 

Hallie Poat 

Creative Writing - 5th Block  

I am from weed-eater blenders, from banana flavored Moonpies, and “My Old Kentucky Home” 

I am from the old, red-roofed farmhouse to the brick house with pale white Greek columns 

I am from the willow trees and and peony bushes

I am from blowing up dryers and resilience

From my grandfathers and grandmothers, from the Poats’ and the Burnetts’, I am also from the Beyers’  

From cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena and devouring Rupp’s Borden ice cream 

I am from yelling “Fifty dollars!” at speeding cars careening around our lake campground 

From catching a variety of multi-colored fish in the lake and the gulf to waiting hours hunting for deer and doves 

I am from riding my old goat around my house 

I’m from the mockery of the aunts’ and the uncles’ and the quiet mouths of my mother’s mother

From the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny 

I am from God and the Holy Trinity, from being baptized in a horse trough to missionary work in El Salvador 

I am from Scotland and Poland and Germany and a touch of the Blackfoot tribe 

I am from raw oysters, fried fish, and hushpuppies 

From the jumps my mom’s dad experiences when a loud, unexpected noise rings out, all because of the war 

From the white hair of my dad’s dad and the sassy attitude of my dad’s mom 

I am from the many jugs of moonshine made, many bottles of beer drank, and exceptionally good times had when my dad’s side of the family gets together 

I am from the Kentucky ground that grew good memories and forged good times.