Where I Am From

(Modeled after George Ella Lyon’s poem of the same name.)

 

Where I Am From

 

I am from elephant leg pants

from No More Tears shampoo and shag carpets

I am from pigtails and bruised shins

(concealed by mismatched knee-high socks)

 

I am from hatchbacks and large family gardens

from “there are no what ifs” and wrestling matches

I am from hippie parents

who believed in backpacking,

family dinners,

and frugality.

 

I am from beef strogonoff and whole wheat bread

from “Fat Bottom Girls,” “Rocky Mountain High,”

and “Go Your Own Way.”

 

I am from Elva and Albert; and Ann, Bill and Gary

I am from Friday night Parcheesi and Saturday block parties.

from Little House on the Prairie and The Bionic Woman

 

I am from schoolyard sprints, Barbies and bike rides

from egg salad sandwiches and girl scout badges

I am from snowball fights and aggressive boys

 

I am from a place far outside this bubble

of privilege and choice and equity

I am from the place of yellowed Polaroid photos,

unfiltered.