Where I’m From

I am from Over the Hills and Far Away.
From Rawlings and Atomic,
sunshine and Mount Snow.
I am from fresh sneaks and hip-hop,
black bandanas and silver jewelry.
From engines and turbos,
striped tigers and rainbow hacky sacks.

I am from Little Valley and Green Street.
Wishbone, Barney, and the Magic School Bus,
Curious George and The Cat in the Hat.
From mountain biking, pool baseball, and fist fights in the dusty field.
Sledding on the edge of the cliff and frog hunting in the musty pond.
I am from blue Vipers, purple Colonels, and green Eagles.

I am from Grandma’s spaetzle and corn casserole and ice-cream cake.
Thanks for the crackers!
From Jeff Gordon, Rihanna, St. Michael, and Brenda.
I am from woo-woos and amblimps.
From the Sox and Pats.
I am from Martha’s Vineyard and Hillwinds.
I am from seventy-five years teddy bears,
from Hell’s Kitchen to tomato pinchusions.

Scattered across the walls,
strewn about the house;
packed into albums
and loaded onto the computer.
I am from these moments.

Distant memories –
a collection,
invaluable.