Where I'm From

I'm from Saturday morning
soccer games with children
screaming, goals swishing,
and the scent of
freshly cut grass.

I'm from Sunday morning
Church -- the smell of fresh
coffee and the chatter
of adults during coffee hour.

I'm from school projects --
Japan study, the study of the
Arctic and of Egypt
and mummies -- parent
presentations, and talkative,
proud parents filling the
tiny cafeteria.

I'm from graduation ceremonies,
small and significant, from
pride and congratulations, and
celebration and relief to
apprehension and anxiety.

I'm from being the youngest,
kindergarten to 6th grade,
feeling lost in middle school,
and being excited
to finally be in high school; from
being intimidated by the seniors,
and feeling left out
by all the other upperclassmen.

I'm from the thrill of horseback riding,
trotting and cantering, jumping
and racing, learning and watching;
from being scared and feeling accomplished.

I'm from volleyball, the sound of the
ball smacking skin, the redness
that leaves marks on my arms; from
feeling determined and embarrassed
through long practices and clinics
so that I can make the team. I'm
from watching games and boys,
from baggy shorts and teamwork.

I'm from cats and horses, fish
and toads, hermit crabs and
blue crayfish; from litter boxes
and water bowls, reins and
fish tanks.

I'm from working for hours
at a time, walking dogs,
big and small, from cleaning
cages and taking out the
trash; from watching operations,
feeding dogs, mopping
and vacuuming.

I'm from writing,
poetry and fiction,
from description, sensory
detail, similes, and metaphors.
I'm from staying up late at
night, trying to express my
feelings through writing.