I am from spider infested house
I am from a cluttered garage
   with grease and dirt covered boots
I am from the distinct stingy odor of oil
   as it drips out of a car
I am from getting a bloody nose
   From a wrench I heaved in the air

I am from the smell of steel
   as it melts to form something completely unique
I am from being overjoyed
   for figuring out a problem on my truck
I am from dirty hands wrenching
   turning to loosen a stuck bolt
I am from the heat
   of the arc from my welder

I am from the joy and happiness
   that my girlfriend gives me
I am from the sense of being
   that I feel when I’m around my family
I am from navigating a minefield
   of complex thoughts of what to say and what not to say