Where I am From

So I am taking a writing course and this was the first assignment and I am posting it here. :)

I am from the big grey house on the corner

on the edge of small town life where a purple banana seat bike means freedom to rule the streets and roam the stores

or, to be specific, roam the

candy aisle at the grocery store, the library and the local hardware store

I am from a green-painted concrete basement, perfect for roller-skating

            playing restaurant or teacher or hiding under the stairs.

From climbing white birch trees and looking for secret hideouts

            to hold exclusive clubs in

And knocking on doors asking elderly neighbors for candy in exchange for a visit.

I am from read along tapes and records, spinning out Music Machine and Psalty

and old hymns sung a capella at church and Sunday school

Music humming from the baby grand in the tan living room

            Dad pounding the keys, making up songs about us or singing Hey Baby

Or sometimes at bedtime singing us to sleep from the hallway

I am from “What is the most important decision you will ever make?”

            and “Be There”

From a strong heritage of faith passed down and passed down and passed down

            in our small town, farming community where

Grandpa and Grandma, spinster great Aunts, cousins, aunts, uncles are close

I am from a childhood filled 

with people I love

            lots of love 

and light.

*The original Where I’m From poem is by George Ella Lyon.