Four Feet More

The poem below is based on a writing prompt from Owlhaven, as well as a poem by George Ella Lyons.

I am From

I am from gravel, from palm trees and saguaro cacti.
I am from the tree fort by the desert wash. Hidden behind the park, it felt like another world.
I am from the creosote bush, whose fragrance on a rainy day always brings memories of home.

I am from homemade peach ice cream, made on our back porch during hot summer days.
From gnocchi, hand rolled and laid out on sheets for a special family dinner.
I am from Gordo’s Mexiteria, cheese crisps and fried beef tacos.

I am from the well-to-dos and the doing-wells, from work hard and play long.
I am from Rosemarie, Tony, Sandi and Joe.
I am from The Entertainer, a song played on the piano at every family gathering.
From talking with your hands and laughing with friends and family.
I am from Thanksgivings at my great-aunt’s, and Christmases at Grandma’s.
From the story of a mobster “patched up” by Grandma Pucci, and tales of life in Chicago during the Depression.

I am from Catholicism, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism.
I am from a church that welcomed members of every denomination, and celebrated traditions from each. My brother and I would cut Sunday School to play “World War III” in the desert.

I am from brick apartments and a home in the foothills.
From the Sonoran Desert, a playground more exciting than any park.
In my closet were boxes filled with mementos from a childhood I did not want to out grow.

I am from those moments – lived before I blossomed - leaf-fall from the family tree.

If you read this post and then visit Owlhaven's site, be sure to tell her I sent you. And please, if you have the time, play along! I'd love to learn where you are from (and you might just win Owlhaven's contest - going until February 11th).