Where I'm fromA Poem by HoneyEnglish. "Write a poem about where you're from based on George Ella Lyon's poem."I am from chutney, from soggy, spiced spinach and samosas. from a house that reeks with the fumes of the same dishes that they eat day in and day out waxing and waning like the gentle breeze of the static July night that carries the scent away through the gaping windows I am from the forest behind the house Lonely and green, yet still thriving Echoing silent wishes to me in the still of the winter And whispering songs to me To rock my mind as it runs in circles I am from Grandmee's yelping cries of "Do you want egg?" and from hushed mornings of "my sweetie appai" as she slowly moves her papery hands to rest in my leathery palms I'm from allergies and eyeglasses, aching ribs, heavy arms ragged and wet coughs muffled by the peace of the clinic at 8 am I'm from the "be the smartest"s and the "nothing less," From the declarations of "You are the best girl" that faded as stealthily as the anger that took their place crept upon me from "Do better!" and "Smile some!" and the pleading "You have great potential!" hiding under a thick accent and thicker sideburns And I’m from just not giving a damn anymore, really. I'm from "Bismillah" and "You'll come around someday" And the endless verses of foreign tongue that I will recite on a whim so that maybe I can at least try to fit in I am from sticky flesh before the rain and startled cats and empty lungs afterwards the wet socks and the warm hugs that draw me from one alien planet to the other From dusty stuffed animals sitting on the shelf and a million half-read books on Geology, Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry... My father's thirst for knowledge and my mother's pressing standards forcing me to forgo the musty books focus on long division and "Recite your alif baa for me.” I am the initial elation of “Yes, I made it” Coupled with the realization of weariness and shouts, the heat of anger Then again, I am “I love you,” and “I love you too,” as their frail arms wrap around my waist© 2014 HoneyAuthor's Note
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