I Am From

I am from the wood burning stove,
from sunscreen and ponytails.
I am from sunny yellow paint
and splintered dock boards.
I am from algae
the monkey tree
whose lightning struck limbs I remember
as if they were my own.

I'm from green milk and blonde hair,
from Michael Allen and Patti Jo.
I'm from leaf piles and Mickey waffles
and from candlelight.

I'm from Czy nie ma zadnych uszy? and No whining at the beach!
and you are my sunshine.
I'm from streamer canopies.
I'm from Ceder Rapids and Lake Charlotte,
hot dish and strawberry jam.
From Silver Bridge,
and one red rose.
Pictures of the past,
In dusty frames along on the wall.

I am from memories.