I am from Iowa farmland,
from sunburns and big sunglasses.
I am from catching baseballs
and Friday night Dungeons and Dragons.
I am from bike rides and swing sets,
waiting until the sun set, listening to
Joy Division and Two Door Cinema Club.

I am from rainy nights,

and the smell of rotting leaves.

I am from ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’
and 2am text messages.
I am from road trips and toboggan rides,
the whole family packed on,
even the grandparents.

I am from “Guten nacht, Papa.” and
messy rooms that I refuse to clean.
I am from seven houses and counting
and building forts of hay.
I am from J.K. Rowling and braces,
that I should have gotten off, but
some teeth refuse to leave their temporary residences.

I am from missed serves and lightsabers
with bunny suits,
I am from, “May he forgive you all your sins,”
and Wednesday night church.
I am from playgrounds and pop rocks
that we bought at 12am.

I am from therapist sessions,
locked closets and secrets I will never reveal.
I am from personal lawyers and
joint custody.
I am from “It’s going to be okay,” and
from “Can I come in for awhile?” because
it was the only place I could go.

I am from cat whiskers and “Phil’s mum”,
insane laughter and inconsolable sobs,
but I wouldn’t change a thing.