I put together this “Where I’m From” poem, based on a poem of the same name by George Ella Lyon. There’s a bunch of versions of this template, but I made this one specifically for the youth justice work I do. It’s a simple project– designed to be something you can phone in, or something you can dig deeply into. I thought I’d share it along with one version of poem I created based on this template.
I am from a door I keep wide open,
from postage stamps and a prison stinger.
I am from forgiveness and smarts.
I am from aloe vera,
(I tended the plant outside the house that turned out firefighters,
paid them in pennies, and sent them back with burns.
I broke its leaves for them.)
I am from the United States,
from jailhouse kool-aid packets, and ramen cake.
I am from cold, tight handcuffs.
I am from “You’ll be back”,
and clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do.
Even now,
I am from peacocks that fled the coop,
escaping with bellies full of broken aloe,
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thud. 💚
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❤
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not just any birds, but peacocks. the color of that imagery, having filled up on healing plants, flying free!!!!!
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Free, and full of healing to come, yes! 🙂
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I am from work screens far too close to my face amidst the swirling chaos of the kingdom,
From earned and unearned scout badges and the plunking of piano keys.
I am from fading blue eyes and restless legs.
I am from rain.
(I used to dance in the real and in my mind to make the rain come.
I never miss a chance to soothe my mind with a the power of a regenerative stormy walk.)
I am from my beloved mountains,
From trout wrapped in foil and cooked over glowing coals and cold instant breakfast chugged on a freezing morning.
I am from sleepless nights under the infinite stars, watching the Perseids blaze across the sky.
I’m from “one foot in front of the other,” and Sam’s Town.
Even here,
I am from a longing to shed these controlled electrical grids for wild thunderstorms,
The wide open spaces, the high places, that call to me always,
In a dream of this hard land.
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So beautiful. 😭💕
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I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I really like the prompt and might have to do another…
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A wonderful idea… Thank you. I tried it out too https://jotnrot.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/where-im-from/
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So cool! Thank you for playing along. 🙂
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This is a great I Am From poem. I did one also but different style. You tell story through everything you write.
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I am from this sunken couch
from dial-up internet and antenna TVs.
I am from kindness and empathy.
I am from the river.
(The water between two lands. It divides safety and the unknown.)
I am from Unity.
from french toast and ice cream.
I am from bare feet running in the yard.
I am from I love you, forever,
and sunrise, sunset.
Even now,
I am from the nostalgic memories
of finding my way,
you can blame me when there’s no one left to blame, I don’t mind.
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So melodic and beautiful! 😍💕
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