#iamfrom

I am from the mountains 

Ethereal and grand. 

From the snow capped and silent

To the rushing rivers kissing soft, warm soil 

Where leeches wait patiently.

I am from the dancing colours 

The silver bells, the fragrant cloths and 

Stained hands of red kumkum and golden turmeric.

...

I am from the rolling meadows

Emerald green- viridescent 

Spiders, butterflies and grazing deer. 

A squashed frog under a tractor’s tire. 

From blueberry lips to strawberry fingers 

I am from log burning kitchens

And words whose only understanding

Materialized in the form of steaming food: 

Schnitzel, strudel and sauerkraut.

...

I am from the lemon house 

With the green shuttered windows and 

Blue tiled floors that never seem to warm in winter.

I am from the bubbling river who 

Bathed me in the summers heat 

And bit my toes when the ice broke 

Beneath my second hand boots.

I am from bitter coffee and hand tossed 

Dough awaiting the blaze of fire.

...

I am from the small home on a hill 

Whose paintings carry memories

And whose oil seems always fresh 

To my nostalgic touch. 

I am from the tea leaves who dance all day long 

In a burnished pot on an old stove 

In a place seemingly too small but 

Always made to fit.

I am from cold winters

From hot chocolate warming frigid fingers

And hours huddled on a couch

I am from pumpkin patch rides

From soggy grass

And camera flashes upon smiling faces

I am from sandy lake shores

From sub sandwiches on beach towels

And pink skin kissed by the sun

I am from rooms of chatter

From crowded kitchens warm with the smell of food

And whispered gossip between adults

I am from stick sword fights

From tree climbing

And giggling around a fire

Now childish ignorance has turned into something ugly,

Something that takes your breath away

And leaves scars maring your wrist

Family gatherings have gone from grandma's wet kisses

To prickling tears

And a tight feeling restricting your lungs

The apple may not fall far from the tree

But the absence of the tree

And the winded feeling when you hit the ground

Are rough every time

"I am from resilience, defiance, and the belief that good will always win." #sarahdoughty

“I am from resilience, defiance, and the belief that good will always win.” I am from late night moonlit bedrooms, filled with fear, pain, and guilt. I am from constant reminders of my worthlessness, inadequacies, and ugliness. I am from resilience, defiance, and the belief that good will always win. Despite everything, ink still flows through my veins and with every beat, my heart echoes,…

I Am From

after George Ella Lyon

Three impossible schemes whispered while

Climbing the poles of the swing set and 

Four years of laughing in summer winds with you

Running barefoot on pavement, 

City playground sprinklers and tire swings, 

And the bright technicolor beads dangling around the crown of my head on rough beige kitchen string 

As I held the plastic water balloon to the water fountain in my 

Pink zebra striped two piece swimsuit complimented by 

The biggest smile an eight year old could’ve made

The rain that fell, down and down, 

Fragile droplets’ bodies breaking as I hung in the doorframe 

To say goodbye to my past

I am from laughter in the autumn wind, 

Pine needles brushing my palms and cheeks, 

And whispers of “I kinda like him,” between those of the wind

I am from my tears freezing on your shoulder in 

The dead chill of the January wind and snow despite your warm embrace;