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