Where I'm From Poem

“Where I’m From” by Jenaffer Beasley

I am from Huffy Bike, my Dusty Rose,

from Wheaties boxes with Edwin Moses,

Mary Lou Retton,

and also Bruce Jenner, back when he was still a man.

I am from the big, bright, blue house right on Wabash and Russell…

Yeah, that one.

I am from the plum tree, dogwood, mulberry, peonies… so fragrant!

I am from camping in the Volkswagen camper bus.

I am from running around Wabash College campus, watching the games, watching Dad become a wizard, a super hero, at the track and field meets. Dad always worked so hard for those kids.

“Wabash always fights!”

I am from H.T. running the Malcom X Institute and helping so many black young men stay at that crazy private college. He always worked so hard for those kids.

I am from Mom…

Patsy Dale Abbott Johnson. “Crazy, pretty white girl. Why do you want to date a black boy? You are so much better than that!” That is what they would tell her.

Hilarious, Health Nut, Jesus Freak, and Honorary Black Person…

I am from “Coach Robert H. Johnson, Wabash College, 45 minutes NW of Indianapolis in the heartland of America. Tell me something good!” and “Hey, Champ!”

I am from Edna “Sweet Girl” Ferguson Johnson, my Nana.

I am from “You look like a Ferguson! Doesn’t she look like a Ferguson? You look just like Beverly.”

I am from Fletcher Johnson, Sr. “Pop Pop” was a scary, mysterious man to me.

I am from laughing out loud and staying up late.

I am from “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”

I am from Indiana, California, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Philly…

I am from Ireland and England.

I am from Crow Feet Tribe.

I am from the Balanata, the Mende, the Kru.

Echos in my heart. Stirrings in my soul.

Do you all proud. Let you live on.

I am from “Will you marry me. We have God in common.”

I am from a holy union with a very patient man with a heart of gold;

Mark, my beloved, my friend.

I am from unfathomable blessings of brand new life. God is always at work around us.

Karissa Maybelline my beauty, my smart girl.

I am from “Let’s be funny all day!”

I am from “Big Girl do it!”

I am from unspeakable tragedies of incomplete babies

slipping away and then a beautiful, beautiful son,

but… no heartbeat. Isaac.

My Isaac is in heaven laughing in Your arms.

Isaac… God is always at work around us.

I am from God help me to stand.

I am from God help me to walk.

I am from God help me to sing.

I am from God help me to talk.

I am from back on my feet.

I am about to run again… maybe even fly