Where I'm From

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I am from acres and barns

owned for five generations

where weather patterns are important

I am from home improvements and projects

handcrafted in dad’s shop.

from the willow who wept

when the tree house fell out.

I am from lefse across the field,

from a blue Dodge colt vista

on two lane county roads.

I am from carsick family bonding,

from summer camps, enrichment,

and empty school hallways.

I’m from you two look so similar

and you look nothing alike

from old family recipes

made up on the spot.

I’m from you’re the light of my life’s

and singing before sleep,

from Lutheran quarrels

and suppressed emotions

with the family rifts they caused.

I am from music and instruments,

piano played by my mom,

from waking to Raffi

and afternoon spongebob

at every stage of my life.

I am from cats, chickens, and a rabbit

half gone to coyotes,

the other half to time.

I’m from corn fields camouflaging

barn kittens gone feral

and what it cost to get rid of them all.

I am from soccer cleats and turf shoes

injuries and proud bruises

at every time of year.

I’m from raspberry bushes in an orchard

separate from the garden out back.

From bonfires and fire pits

and the roasting of slugs.

I am from frog songs, train calls,

and silent starts in the clean air of the night.