Where I’m From

I’m from an unreliable father

Who drowned in alcohol and suffocated in smoke  

The ones you don't even realize are gone

I’m from apartment complexes, condos, and houses

Rent that was never paid

Cardboard boxes that were taped up one too many times  

I’m from millions of childhood rooms

From Pepto Bismol pink, lavender purple walls, and discolored white

I’m from a strong woman

Who made a difficult choice

Changed her whole life for the sake of her daughter

I’m from my mother’s childhood house

Which soon became mine

It was as tall as a skyscraper

which only appears that way when you're a young mouse

I’m from the aroma of dark roast coffee  

Creamer, milk, and sugar

A cup or two everyday

I’m from my first true father

Someone who didn’t have to stick around but choose to stay.

To claim an imperfect girl as a perfect daughter

I’m from Deep Brook

Somewhere I finally feel safe

A place I know won’t walk away from me

I’m from a little girl who’s only half of me

Polar opposite from who I am

Yet is able to show me the world from a new perspective

I’m from weekly to monthly visits with a trying father

Someone who can’t see past the flaws

Someone who thinks objects can replace time

Someone who can only see a troubled daughter simply because she isn’t way he wanted

I’m from the so called “the best four years of your life”

Walking the same hallways for the next four years

I’m from the athletic training room

Farmer tans, khakis shorts, and long friday night under the stadium lights

Over 1000s of hours spent outside of school

Learning for my future career

I’m from Houston Methodist West Campus

The monthly hour and a half trips to and back

Rushing up the elevator with only seconds to spare

Testing more blood and urine for updated results

I’m from 2001 and the years following and

Learning from my many mistakes I’ve made but also others

Continuing to live my life to the fullest