I Am From. . .

I am from purple shag carpet, from Tide, malted milk balls and candy orange slices.

I am from the white house nestled among the trees, cattle lot in the backyard, close enough to town to ride my bike there, yet far enough for stars brilliance to take my breath away.

I am from corn stalks so tall the dog got lost, mulberry trees full of fruit, juicy and plump, staining our hands, our faces, even our feet.

I am from selling sweet corn at Grandma's with my cousins, from ample food and far too much eating, from Shari and Gerald, the hearty, ever present Kubiks and the complicated Kahlers.

I am from humor, pitch and pizza, from deep thoughts rarely expressed.

From "You can do anything you set your mind to" and "Where there's a will there's a way."

I am from kids sent to Sunday school, faith being private, morals and common sense.

I'm from Lincoln, Nebraska, Germans and Czechs, beef and kolaches.

From parents who met on a blind date set up for Mom's roommate, a grandfather whose demons bruised and tortured his family, an incredible mother who stopped the abusive cycle all by herself.

I am from Hickman, Nebraska, a town as small as it sounds, of "pottery" made from clay dug up in the neighbor's pasture, of big family gatherings with lots of cousins, many of whom I saw at school every day, of collages made with noodles, rice and beans, of relatives a few miles away in any direction.

The I AM FROM poetry contest is sponsored by e-Mom at Chrysalis. To join in the fun, click here.