Where I'm From | Teen Ink

Where I'm From MAG

February 25, 2009
By Fred Adolphsen BRONZE, Boise, Idaho
Fred Adolphsen BRONZE, Boise, Idaho
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

I’m from lemons in a wheelbarrow,
From wind-lashed cheeks.
I am from cactus coolers (yellow and orange that soothe the throat),
I am from the dumpster.
The albino rabbit that lurks,
A crunching sound of gravel and bone.

I am from papayas we picked that morning,
From Cosmo Kramer.
I’m from flying down the road,
From yes.
I’m from sticks and rocks,
From no.

I’m from the bayliner,
From Rupert.
From Good Samaritan, where I learned true
Sorrow and despair.
At the top there is light,
A need to earn trust, a need to impress.



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This article has 89 comments.


Lionel said...
on Jul. 11 2013 at 11:15 am
I think this was a really nice well written poem. It realy was deep and showed alot of emotions.

on Dec. 7 2012 at 1:15 pm
This is a really epic website! :)

on Aug. 30 2012 at 11:30 pm
Basya44 PLATINUM, Brighton, Massachusetts
36 articles 1 photo 77 comments
I love that you come from yes- how profound and abstract. I strive to write like you- with strange idas and language that brightens the mind, while still conveying a message. I would LOVE to hear your feedback on  my own poetry some time. Thanks for sharing, Fred:)

on Feb. 6 2012 at 2:33 pm
ghostbones BRONZE, Waukesha, Wisconsin
1 article 0 photos 3 comments
This poem offers a new perspective on things. Very nice. C:

on Feb. 6 2012 at 2:31 pm
ghostbones BRONZE, Waukesha, Wisconsin
1 article 0 photos 3 comments
This poem offers a really different perspective on things. Nice job C:

on Jan. 23 2012 at 1:31 pm
ElmoIsMyHero BRONZE, Moscow, Other
1 article 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Get out of my trash can you bum!"

Demetria's right. It sucks

ARandomKid said...
on Jan. 23 2012 at 7:28 am
What's with the creepy girl in the photo? It's not gnarly

ARandomKid said...
on Jan. 23 2012 at 7:25 am
Are You From Bad Poem City?

on Nov. 20 2011 at 10:35 am
JamesODalaigh BRONZE, Bandon, Other
4 articles 0 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better -Samuel Beckett.
Don't be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value -Arthur Miller.

Fantastic, really had me intrigued and captivated!

on Nov. 18 2011 at 2:08 pm
EmoCinderella PLATINUM, DeSoto, Missouri
38 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Your juice is my juice!" "That's Hot!" "In a world full of peaches don't ask for applesauce"

I really liked this poem. I usually don't read stuff like this but it was really good.(: Amazing job!

on Nov. 5 2011 at 9:47 am
SuperPanda409 SILVER, State College, Pennsylvania
9 articles 1 photo 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
If this is love I don't wanna be loved.- Get Scared

‎We are made of love and all the beauty stemming from it. We are made of love and every fracture caused by the lack of it.- Sleeping At Last

I moved when I was 7, I'm sorry!

on Oct. 27 2011 at 12:14 pm
iwakeup2early BRONZE, Boise, Idaho
2 articles 0 photos 4 comments
Whoa, I'm from Boise, too! I'd love to meet some other writers here.

on Sep. 13 2011 at 11:50 pm
JojoMimi BRONZE, Portland, Oregon
4 articles 0 photos 52 comments
nice poem, really helps me picture everything

Duckie430 said...
on Sep. 13 2011 at 9:18 pm
Duckie430, Riverside, Rhode Island
0 articles 0 photos 228 comments

Favorite Quote:
“The secret to life is being who you are and being happy with who you are.”
"Whatever does not kill you only makes you stronger."

good job!!

on Jul. 9 2011 at 11:29 pm
poetfaery BRONZE, Coventry, Rhode Island
1 article 1 photo 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for much, but bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs."

Cosmo Kramer! Mondo nostalgia right there. Fantastic poem! :D

on Jun. 17 2011 at 5:38 pm
SuperPanda409 SILVER, State College, Pennsylvania
9 articles 1 photo 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
If this is love I don't wanna be loved.- Get Scared

‎We are made of love and all the beauty stemming from it. We are made of love and every fracture caused by the lack of it.- Sleeping At Last

Hi Fred,

I'm sure you're sick of all the comments you get posted on your poem. I just wanted to share that this is beautiful and i'm originally from boise idaho too!


lalabear333 said...
on May. 26 2011 at 5:09 pm
We were given prompts for this in class. We all had to write one, about ourselves, of course. I take it that's the same with you?

Aderes47 GOLD said...
on Feb. 27 2011 at 4:07 pm
Aderes47 GOLD, Cambridge, Massachusetts
11 articles 0 photos 897 comments

Favorite Quote:
You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
Henry Drummond

Hey Fred! Write more!

Aderes47 GOLD said...
on Feb. 27 2011 at 4:07 pm
Aderes47 GOLD, Cambridge, Massachusetts
11 articles 0 photos 897 comments

Favorite Quote:
You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
Henry Drummond

I'm kinda writing a poem like this right now. I'm almost done. I also like the picture. :)

on Jan. 19 2011 at 10:03 pm
RedheadAtHeart ELITE, Mountain Home, Idaho
109 articles 0 photos 164 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love with open hands. - Madeleine L'Engle

Wow nice job. Beautiful poem. Idaho's a grand old state. ;)