I am from fruit snacks,
from Welch’s and Mott’s.
I am from the beige house with the spacious yard.
(Warm, loving
it felt like home.)
I am from the clean cut grass,
the blooming tulips
red, orange, yellow, and pink.
I am from the Christmas breakfast and dark brown hair,
From Bill and Joanne
and Nicholas.
I am from the brownie baking and
baseball watching.

I am from “family is the first priority” and
“school is the second.”
I am from church on Sundays,
and Christmas mornings.

I am from Commack and Italy,
pizza and pasta.
I am from the time my uncle survived 9/11,
and the hearing my grandmother lost.

I am from the pictures at the top of the stairs,
that remind me of where I’m from.
Each picture, a page in the story of my life.