Where I'm From Poem

I am from hope

from pictures and books

I am from the laughter of my family

(bubbling and joyful)

I am from the rich strawberry patch

The barbed red rose bush

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I’m from chocolate chip cookies and pudgy fingers

from David and Suzanne

I’m from the religious and idiotic

and from the imaginative.

I’m from I love you! and Jesus is with you!

and O’ Come All Ye Faithful!

I’m from Thanksgiving dinners without stuffing

I’m from Minneapolis and a long line of royalty.

Taco Bake and fudge

From my dad riding a child’s motorcycle at age 16

Black hair lashing at his face in the wind.

I’m from the castle of my great-grandfather’s

Over in Germany

Where it was built to protect us

Where my great-grandfather sacrificed it all for love

Giving up fortunes and heritage

Letting true love lead him home.