Where I'm From

I am from beach towels

from sun bum and tanning oil.

I am from sand in the car

(Tan, shining,

It smelled like the sea)

I am from the California poppies

the palm tree,

whose leaves shook I remember

as if it was yesterday.

I'm from green cards and pencil boxes

from Tim and Moby

I’m from the cool girls

and the school girls

from listen up! And quiet down!

I’m from trying your best

even if you failed

and failure I can claim myself.

I'm from the Kuffner and Matule Branch

grilled steak and red wine.

From the fish my dad lost

to the hook,

the leg my dad moved to keep his foot.

In my closet was a drawer

overflowing with things

a lot of old memories

to drift out of my mind.

I am from those memories-

cut down before I grew-

removed from my childhood room-