I am from days on the lake,

chilly 4 a.m. mornings and toasty nights,

surrounded by woods and corn nobody for a mile.

From bike rides to the river

I am from eerie tornado warnings and enjoying those sunny days

From mild winter snowmobiling and hot summer swimming with my family.

I am from Illinois.

I am from 4 a.m. fishing and hunting.

Spring smallmouth and fall deer,

up north desolate woods to overfished lakes.

From Jeep rides down Maple Road through

frigid, blizzard conditions and rainy Aprils.

From hunting during a Packer win that felt like crushing an enemy in a pivotal battle,

fishing through a Brewers loss that is instant sadness through my bones.

From shooting my bow for two hours trying to become Robin Hood to,

Tying up wacky rigs in a rush

I am from Wisconsin.

I will be from a house in the woods

Winding trails with technical terrain and a boat,

fishing on the lake and hunting in the woods.

I will be from a lifted Jeep with no doors and wind going through my hair.

I will be from a tight knit family carrying out traditions from the “good ol’ days.”

I will be from whiteout blizzards and sunny days.
I will be from Wisconsin.