Where I'm From Poem

I am from chicken fried steak,
Karo Syrup, and raw oysters.
from biscuits cooked in a skillet
in the fireplace on Sunday mornings
and gravy poured on thick.

 

I am from Old Spice,
Vics Vapor Rub
and the talcum powder
my grandma patted
on her pale, wrinkled face.

 

From "The Pope is the anti-christ"
"Don't commit the unpardonable sin" and
"Stay away from Pops.
He's a dirty old man!"

 

I'm from the honeysuckle vines
weaving their way through
the chain-link fence
that kept us away
from the railroad tracks.

 

From peaking over
as the trains soared by,
wishing
I could hop on board
and get away
from Grandpa's slobbery kisses
and ill-willed touch.

 

I'm from grandma's fears
of death,
the mark of the beast,
and the end of the world.

 

From a dad who died way too soon
and a mom who joined him
in her endless sleepy slumbers.

 

I'm from
"All kids grow up to be like their parents,"
"Don't mouth off at me, young lady,"
"Yes, Ma'am"
"No, Sir"
and
"I hate you"
whispered under my breath.

 

From hiding in the closet
in the middle bedroom
in the house
on Hartwick Street
where I asked Jesus to
come into my heart.

 

I'm from colorful Afghans,
crocheted houseshoes, and
the quilted blanket Granny
gave me for high school graduation.

 

From the pitcher's mound
on the softball field
and the bottom of
the cheerleading pyramid.

 

I am from
blue and white,
orange and white
and
black and blue.

 

-Inspired by George Ella Lyon's poetry

Comments

[George Ella Lyon]

Dear SHE,

This is powerful! I read many "Where I'm From" poems and yours really stands out.

I do a lot of Writing Project work, too, mostly in Kentucky and surrounding states, though I did speak to the New Jersey Writing Project in Texas (!)

If your school or Writing Project ever bring in visiting authors, keep me in mind.

For all our voices,

George Ella Lyon

[She]

WOW! Double WOW! I woke up to your comment, and what a wonderful surprise!

I'd love to have you come to my school next year! I wrote my first "Where I'm From" poem after hearing you read yours in the video THE UNITED STATES OF POETRY! I also have your book and use the other exercises as well. I LOVE YOUR WORK!

My students write them every year. I should probably be sending you a royalty check!

Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to comment on my blog!

Blessings,
She

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

!!!!!

[Jenn O]

I am a great friend of She's and also an admirer of your work. This last semester I taught poetry at a school for homeless and at-risk youth; I worked with 8th graders. One of our inspirations was your "Where I'm From" poem. I didn't post entire poems on my blog, for confidentiality reasons, but did post snippets. I thought you might enjoy reading them.

Jenn

http://jugglinglife.typepad.com/juggling_life/2009/01/words-that-break-my-heart-and-words-that-make-my-heart-sing.html

[She]

Jenn! You are so incredibly awesome!!!

I loved it when you had your students write their poems. My kiddos
wrote them too, but I never got around to publishing some of what they
wrote. THEY always do a better job than I do, though!

I love that you are are part of the teaching profession!

[Hetha]

Wow, this is crazy good She. I have a hard time enjoying most poetry, no matter how many tries I give it or how many poets I read. I never had a good teacher that helped me "get it", or even find it accessible. But this! This is fantastic. It leaves me wanting more.

[Andie]

Awesome! I love everything you write, and this is especially wonderful. I heart you, sista. My BFF.

[Lo]

WOW!

[kcinnova]

Powerful "where I'm from" piece, and incredibly awesome that George Ella Lyon read it and commented!!

[Donna Norton]

Just found your blog. Love it!! Sharing it with my sister who is also a high school teacher.