Where I'm From

Where I’m From 

 

I am from green and orange shag rugs, 

from Mr. Clean, Cheer and Ivory Soap, 

from “Da plane, da plane!” and Morgan Fairchild on The Gong Show. 

I am from the house next to the creepy vacant lot, 

from the crabapple trees with caterpillars writhing out of their pods 

after we set them on fire. 

I am from dinner at 4:00pm, 

dishes immediately after and salt and vinegar chips before bedtime. 

I’m from, “Feed the animals!” and “Did you take the dog for a walk?” 

and Sally-sits-by-me. 

I am from “Gotta take my eyes out,” and “Can you get my feet?” 

no direction sense, and the ability to scare small children. 

I am from Ted and Helen, Frannie and Fred, 

from “everything has a place” and “everything in its place.” 

I’m from chores first on Saturdays, 

and round trips to the beach in Canada, 

all before Mom had to go work at 3:00pm. 

I’m from Barbie dolls, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, and The Justice League, 

from “wubba, wubba, wubba” and “Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty,” 

the Go Go’s, Madonna and alt rock. 

I am from Catholic school, half-day Mass on Fridays, 

and blue plaid uniforms with brown shoes and white socks. 

I am from Buffalo, New York – 

chicken wings with blue cheese, beef on weck 

and peanut butter sandwiches – cowboy style. 

I am from my little brother Kevin – “Ima put my lulus in my lellow leeppers” – 

Gus and the exploding butt, 

and the rusty nail up my nose when Mark pushed me down that time. 

I am from the pictures of my family 

that I stole 

from the bookcase in the living room 

to take with me 

when I left for Virginia.

Shout out to George Ella Lyon.

Who hasn't done this one? But it makes me happy!