Every week or two, I’ll be sharing a little peek into my writer’s journal.
Poems or short stories.
From high school or yesterday.
Deeply personal or generic.
Familiar or new.
I’d like to kick off with an oldie I wrote early in our marriage, inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem. I wrote this as part of a Writer’s Workshop I led for my students. (Follow this template to create your own!)
I Am From…
by Sarah Steele
September 2007
I am from Cheerios
from bunk beds and Dad’s big chair
I am from the grand hotel three miles west of town
(No longer with old grey cedar shakes
losing their paint)
I am from Gramma’s forget-me-nots,
The backyard maple
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own
I’m from sauerkraut and big noses
from the Biggers of the Hutch Bunch
I’m from the Nuh Uhs!
and the That’s What I Saids,
from treasure trash hunting
and full-length barn swinging
and fourth of Julys spent with family, food, contests, and friends
I’m from Sarah Sassapoo and Tri-Sarah-Tops
And Onward, Christian Soldiers
I’m from singing on family vacations
I am from Rota, Spain and Hungary
Hot applesauce and dumplings
From Papa’s endless story-telling
and Gramma’s “Herbie da Beaver”
I am from photo albums and family pictures that show
how much we’ve grown
in the basement,
on the wall,
and in my heart.
So. Where are YOU from?
This is beautiful.
I am from sponge painted walls
And matching sister dresses.
Turkey Hill iced tea
(My favorite is the raspberry!)
I am from camping adventures
And reading under the willow,
Playing Hide And Go Seek Jail
and nurturing farm kittens.
I am from fireflies and popsicles
And big hill sledding with dad.
Alisha, I loved reading your version! I can feel the era and location of your “froms” and I love them. Makes you kinda nostalgic, eh?
You mean sponge painted walls dates me?! 🙂 And yes, nostalgic!