Where I’m From
I am from Manga,
from Toonami and Cowboy Bebop.
I am from the rusty bike in the garage.
(Tires spray painted red.)
I am from the cold winter bike rides
after school
whose hard seat I remember
laying up in bed reflecting on today’s adventure.
I'm from M*A*S*H and Matlock,


from steak and hotdogs.
I'm from global trips


and cheap souvenirs,
from Viet jungle and Aussie billabongs
I'm from interesting history


with relics from the textbooks


and the burdens of many.
I'm from old war stories,
the sad ones and the funny ones.
From the medals my grandfather won


to the friends he lost,
the shaking of his weak hand.
Under my bed was a guitar case
that used to house Prudence,
a woman that spoke sweet melodies
to preserve the memories of Washington.
My father looks back on these moments--
as a tear runs down his face --
he acknowledges that all great times have their end.