Where I'm From

I am from a highway

From Coca-Cola and Downy fabric softener

I am from a house of hugs and “I love yous”

Loving, safe

It feels like you are bundled up in ten of your warmest blankets, sipping on warm cocoa

I am from the garden that my grandma plants every year

The strawberry patch,

Continuing its growth, year after year.

I’m from the Christmas Dinners and Brown Hair

From Natalie and Noland and Rosalia

I’m from the laughing together, and Maroon 5 playing on Sunday mornings

From the clean your rooms and pray about it.

I’m from a bible verse,

And church every Sunday morning.

I am from Albion, first child born in this town

Strong coffee and my grandpa’s homemade jerky.

From the great-grandparents house where we would play when we were kids,

While great-grandpa watched over us from heaven.

The security of my grandma’s hugs, after I take a nasty spill.

Beyond the fence where memories were made, and family members lost.

This is where I’m from