I am from year-round christmas lights.  

From my Dorothy costume and my pink cowboy boots.

I am from the swimming pools and swing sets;

that became dangerous when combined.

It smelled like chlorine and dyed my hair green.  

I am from the bamboo.

The oak trees

that gave me my first splinter

I’m from the Christmas carols and blue eyes.

From Sugar and Pops and Marie Marie.

I’m from the always running late and never deciding on a movie to watch

From “she’s a fish” and “I’ll be your best friend”

I’m from the Christmas mass,

and the statue of Mary that has followed us to every house we have lived in.

I’m from New Orleans,

french bread and roast.

From the houses destroyed in Katrina.

My grandmother’s fight with Parkinson's.

In the hallway of every home I have moved to

there has been a collection of black and white photos

filled with my best friends and people I have never met.

To my related family and my chosen family, I am Ali Girl

and no matter how old I get,

that will never change.