where i'm from

My friend Kelly had her classes compose a poem called "Where I'm From", based on the poem by George Ella Lyon. A few of my seniors shared their compositions with me, and I loved them so much I was inspired to borrow Kelly's format and compose my own.

Where I'm From
for Dad & Mom & the kids

I am from the tire swing,
     from Windex and Fast Orange.
I am from the worn sofa and the bustling kitchen
     (Tired, full,
       it felt comfortable and familiar.)
I am from the apple tree
the haystacks,
      growing strong, practical yet fun.

I'm from stolen bites of cookie dough and blue eyes,
     from Roger and Christine
     and from God bless Robert, Ethan, Emily, and Jayne.
I'm from the hard-working
     and togetherness.
From boopadapa! and
     love the unlovable.
I'm from God is on the throne
     and Sunday mornings of dish-rattling Ron Kenoly.

I'm from Albion and England and Germany,
     afternoon tea and bratwurst.
From the toe Dad broke kicking a cow in the head,
     the sticks Mom picks up on her walks to the pond,
     the countless re-telling of old stories that make us laugh every time,
     upstairs in the library, neatly preserved for moments of nostalgia.

I am from a daddy's lap,
  a mother's sweet kisses,
    the hostile and welcoming arms of siblings,
      protected and encouraged,
        challenged and supported,
immeasurably and eternally loved.

-RCP 2.9.2012

Your turn!
Challenge: write a poem about where & what & who you're from!
AND leave me a comment linking to it!
Click here for the template.
You guys, poetry is FUN!