Where I'm From

I am from Mudville,

whose Sulphur dew offends the nose.

I am from soulful, shoeless adventures on

hot pavement.

I am from dark nights, watching

white dwarfs dance across a blank canvas.

I am from Sandhill Cranes,

migrating to swampy fields in my back yard.

I am from the aroma of mint sneaking

under my nose in sunny June.

I am from corn fields parading across

the earth like tall soldiers for miles.

I am from Queen Janna Dean

and Mount McKinley,

who spent days on the glistening

shores of the Tippecanoe.

I am from the pointy dorsal fins of smallmouth bass,

scaring the edges of my fingers into submission.

I am from the pleasant intrusion

of Lilac on rainy days.

I am from the letter ‘J’,

red-haired, adventurous Jamie

and playful, down to earth Justin.

I am from a towering white sycamore,

whose ivory branches were near impossible to

explore.

I am from skinny days at the ocean,

starved of confidence and sunscreen.

I am from the loud pages of books,

running away with the Boxcar Children.

I am from granny’s crispy oven baked pork chops

on Sunday evening, watching Dr. Quinn Medicine

Woman.

I am from nowhere but somewhere.