I am from books
From Boyd’s Bears and John Deer
I am from the overgrown bushes in the backyard and the dirty dishes in the sink
(dirty, nasty,
Smell of tobacco)
I am from the pecan tree
The dirt pile that I turned into a mud pie bakery

I am from coffee addicts and chocolate lovers
From Lisa and John
I am from the hotheads and the putdowns
From “wanting to be a carnie” and “be yourself”
I’m from a family of Believers but am not one myself

I am from Rhodeys and Boyds,
Pecan pies and deviled eggs
From the scars on my daddy’s chest from crashing his dirt bike,
The white wispy hair of my great grandma

Over flowing tubs in the garage
torn, wrinkled, and uncared for
pictures of the good old days when I wasn’t always on the verge of tears,
tiaras, tutus, fairy wings, and my homemade Buzz Light-year cape
I am from these moments-
True smiles that may never be seen again-
are now captured in memories