We Are From
Fifth Grade
We are from bunk beds and bean bags,
from pink teddy bears and stars on the wall.
We are from loving houses,
from front porch marigolds and towering trees
whose shade keeps us cool in the summer.
We are from strawberry plants in our backyards
that remind us of places we once called home,
and from the tree in Columbus Park
climbed again and again on sunny weekends.
We are from noodles and lumpia,
soft buttery puris and warm chocolaty banana bread,
fresh sushi, steak and sausage,
matzah ball soup,
and dosas and idlis shared with family.
We are from families of spices,
from loving chaos and adventurous trips.
We are from lullabies sung at bedtime
and songs shared with the people we love.
We are from “Be bold and be brave!”
and from moments when family is together.
We are from scoring our first baskets and feeling proud,
from the soccer field, protecting the goal,
and from yards where we played for hours.
We are from watercolors in drawers,
drawings on walls,
crocheting random and beautiful things,
video games, and Warrior Cats.
We are from arguments with siblings
and from moments when life couldn’t get any better.
We are from dreaming,
from the people we love,
and from those special moments
when everyone is together.