I am from bright lights

from traffic jams and tall buildings

I am from the foliage of the creek

(Who knows what was hiding in there?)

I am from the Weeping Willow

who shaded me

the Monkey Grass

who cushioned me

when I was weary

 

I’m from cookies and milk

from Larry and Joan

I’m from the teachers

and the pastors

 

I’m from Marvin and Jackie

war veteran and florist

From the grandparents who married

at 16 years old

 

On my shelf is a binder

filled with old pictures

old letters to loved ones

forever preserved

This is where I am from--

a twig among the branches

of my family tree.