I am from movies

from Disney and Hershey Kisses

I am from the shotgun house

cozy, yellow

It felt crowded, but in a good way

I am from the pink rose bushes in the backyard,

the Chinese Fringe Tree

its white flowers covering the driveway and falling around me

I’m from 50 fun things a year and thick hair

from Paula and Marek

I’m from the story tellers

and the jokesters

from Mommy missed you! and Shh. The baby is sleeping

I’m from our creator, who gives me hope and comfort

I’m from the Big Easy with Italian and Czech in my veins,

Italian Wedding Cookies with powdered sugar and vánočka

From the blue laundry basket that my brother and I rode around the house in

the great-grandmother that cooked Italian dishes for my mom

In the cabinets are the albums that hold the memories of my past

and will hold the memories of my future

I am from these memories that have molded me into the person I am today