Where I'm From

After George Ella Lyon
by, Samantha Butterfield

I am from gardening tools,

from dirt and gorgeous flowers.

I am from the swing set,

on which I played as a small child.

      I am from the morning glories

the cherry blossom tree whose pink,

radiant glory was extinguished as

though only a nuisance.

I’m from anime posters and video games,

                  from Nanny and Aunt Lisa watching over me

while Mom is at work.

I’m from the lost loved ones

                  and old ghosts,

from Hold your horses! and Fix your plate!

I’m from Hail Marys at bedtime

                  with my favorite toy held close

                  and frequent mistakes in uttering the all-important prayer.

I’m from Nanny’s Portuguese spaghetti and Italian cookies,

                  foods I can look forward to any day of the week

                  that always taste just as amazing as the last time they were made.

I’m from the laughter and goodies on Christmas Eve each year

                  and the salty, bitter tears shed after my first break-up.

                  I cherish them all… all of those childhood memories.

                  Good and bad.

A set of brick walls and a roof never meant so much to me

                  as it did in this place. Over ten years were spent here,

                  many memories were created here,

                              and it was sad

                                          to leave them behind…