I am from calculators,

from Windex and Pine-Sol.

I am from the water of my pool.

(Shiny, still,

it tasted like chlorine.)

I am from the hibiscus flowers

the palm trees

whose wavy leaves floated with the wind

as if they were flying.

I’m from the horse races and dark hair,

from Devier and Holzman.

I’m from the no slackers

and the do better’s,

from Be quiet! and Calm down!

I’m from first Communion and Reconciliation

and maybe Confirmation,

but never anything more.

I’m from Woodlake,

gumbo and spicy crawfish.

From the car my brother, Kyle, totaled

when he first got his liscense

and the phone call between my father, Rob,

and my geometry teacher.

Upon the shelf in the closet,

lies a scrapbook

sheltered by a fine layer of dust

containing of all my childhood memories.

I am from the genuine family

with hectic lives that seem endless,

and they are ultimately guiding me into

the person I am becoming.