I am from
I am from a yellow plastic dented baseball bat.
I am from sparklers igniting in the warm summer nights.
I am from worn down rubber tire swings attached to branches and playgrounds.

I am from lake days with friends.
I am from frozen chocolate chip Eggo waffles for every meal.
I am from coffee my grandmother served in tiny cups for me.

I am from sitting in the garage and watching rain fall.
From jumping in the rain puddles barefoot.
Rain water spilling out of the gutter.

I am from sunsets that look like pastel fire.
I am from flowers picked in my yard and made into necklaces and crowns.
I am from fireworks blasting above my head on the fourth of July.

I am from long vacations in Florida.
From Miami do Destin to Tampa Bay.
Feeling overwhelmed and relieved when I finally saw the ocean.

I am from playing ‘cats and dogs’ with friends in my yard.
I am from playing hide and seek and going to the one spot where no one could find me.
I am from drinking sweet tea every day.
I am from my Dad’s favorite music playing where ever I went, even in my head.
From Grateful Dead to Widespread Panic to James Brown.
You can’t escape the rock music.

I am from hiking with my parents on fall weekends.
From mountains looking like fire with their autumn hues.
Breeze in the air.

I am from tiny backpacks and crayons.
I am from childhood bliss.
I am from not realizing how much I would miss my childhood.