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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I am from kerosene heaters
From mountain dew and pb&j
I am from the chaos
Family size tv dinners and cigarettes
I am from the wild flowers next to the highway
That I was picking the day my father drove off without me
The century old cherry tree
Whose limbs I used to climb to escape life
But now long gone but I remember
As if they were my own
I’m from comedy and camp fires
From John and Teri
The only daughter in a single father household
I’m from toxicity and loyalty
And from blame the victim instead of the abuser
I’m from you’re just like your mother
And it’s not meant as a compliment
And 80’s rock music
I’m from baking cookies on christmas eve
I’m from Philadelphia and France and the unknown
Hot dogs and cereal
From the time We ran away from home
There was no tolerance for a woman who wanted
To act as our mother
8 hours later, tired of waiting for the train that never came
Returned to people who didn’t know we were even gone
But ready with the iron fist
The photographs ignored in drawers and The bronze horse sculpture
made by my great grandfather Louis Ragot
Kept high on the mantle not to be touched
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*snaps* Well done 🙂
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Gg
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