I derive from gospel channels. Piano music, and George Jones tuning out the word of God.
The tripping over various Tonka trucks and Barbie dolls, faces swollen with Mammy’s make-up.
From the comfort of a two bed, one bath for a family of six, then tragically five… taking with my innocence.

I derive from cornfields dead ahead and to your 9 o’clock; while the woods covered your blind spots.
The homemade clothes line piled with our garments that we timed just right from the rain.
From the basketball hoop that with impending time, aged with us.

I derive from oyster driveways and my mammy’s veggie garden.
The dirt path that leads not only to my Aunt Retha’s, but adventures.
From the flaws of a hand-built house to Go-Cart tracks scattered around, and the family who surrounded us.

I derive from my fallen papa, whose face I can no longer picture, to my mammy who graciously took in my mother, then two decades later-- us.
Stingy Mary and Frank who always has a problem with how I dressed and my frequent “illnesses” every Sunday morning.
From my sister and brother, who without, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

I derive from the “Bless your heart”s of Uncle Vernon-- to my mother being “momicked,” and the various “amens.”
“Please,” “Thank you,” and “Yes, ma’am” were not foreign words-- never unspoken or misunderstood.
From “Ashie-cole” when I had obeyed, to “Ashlyn Nicole” when it was time to pick a switch.

I derive from the sizzling of cornbread-- to the popping of the collard water.
The smell of sweetener when my mammy’s tea was a little too bland for my taste.
From mama’s taco salad to you better believe that’s butter.

I derive from minimum photos and the belief of living in the moment.
So much so, as my generation dies off, you’ll never truly know what went down in that isolated town of mine.

I derive from the news that brought us home-- and papa breathing through a machine.
My cracked skull when I slipped and fell on a chunk of metal during a game of chase.
From the good times and the bad, I come from being taken from my mom-- to celebrating my return.
I derive from a place that puts not just one, but both”homes” in “Home Sweet Home.”