I Am From

I am from fast-food, From paper plates and dinners in front of the t.v. I am from the stale stubborn silence, Eating away at smiles I am from the Lily flowers, resting in the corner The Willow tree begging to be climbed by the laughter filled children Whose long limbs I remember Ripping in the wind, but inviting you in during the calm I’m from Sunday night dinners, and reading in the dark from Crystal and Wesley I’m from the know-it-alls and the class clown I am from avoiding our problems like the dust under the rug I’m from be quiet Lillian and where's my dinner? and reckless love echoing in my bedroom I’m from Conroe and America From Whoop- up and crawfish From the explorations of my dad around the world Looking for unexploded mines, like it was treasure From smiles trapped in pictures of the past Necklaces with fingerprints of those we loved and lost Recipe books filled with meals of reminiscence