Recently in one of my classes, we had a discussion on how our backgrounds affect our development. Whether or not we take it into account aspects of our childhood home, our family members, our friends, our ethnicity, race, religion—they all make and shape who we are as beings. The conversation drew us to a beautiful poem entitled “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon. Lyon uses elements of his life to create a work that encapsulates his home, both as a place and as a feeling, and this poem has spread throughout the world as inspiration. We, as a class, too, found inspiration in the poem, and using a template (adapted by Levi Romero) of the work as a writing prompt, had about five minutes to craft our own tales of “where we are from.” This week I wanted to share where I am from with you, knowing gladly that within my state, my town, even my family, different responses are evoked, and hoping to hear yours.

So here is “Where I’m From,” an adaptation:

I am from the ugly striped love seat.

From the fireplace and tacky grape wall border.

I am from the lived-in sunporch,

Breeze through the open windows.

I am from mounds of fallen leaves.

The toothpick pine

Whose long gone limbs I remember

As if they were my own.

I’m from tapas on the night before Christmas an academic debates.

From half-siblings who feel whole and brilliant parents.

I’m from laughing and reading

and from singing in the car.

I’m from In Jesus’s name we pray and You can’t argue with ignorance

And Woke up this mornin’ feelin’ fine.

I’m from late night movies.

I’m from Michigan and the spans of Europe,

Potato salad and casseroles.

From the uncles who cheated death,

boats and lightning strikes.

Crunching chips in the next room

resonance.

Sun-faded, leather-bound albums

perched on the rough wood mantel

and in my memories.

If you found this poem of interest, I included the template below. All it takes is five minutes of free time; copy and paste the template and fill in the blanks with the first thing that comes to mind. Though simple, this poem provides insight into what you feel truly shapes your memories of “where you’re from,” and I would be honored to read from where each and every one of you are. I encourage those who read this to share their “Where I’m From,” in the comments, as their own status, in a piece of expanded writing— whatever, if you feel so moved. We are all unique and lovely, regardless of where we are from.

Please think about where you're from and reflect, remember, and respond.

Original Template:

I am from ________________________________________ (an everyday item in your home)

from ________________ and _______________ (products or everyday items in your home)

I am from the _________________________________________ (description of your home)

__________________________________ (a detail about your home – a smell, taste, or feel)

I am from the__________________________________________ (plant, flower, natural item)

The _________________________ (plant or tree near your home) whose long gone limbs

I remember as if they were my own.

I’m from _________________ and __________________ (a family tradition and family trait)

from ____________________________and __________________________ (family members)

I’m from __________________________and ___________________________ (family habits)

and from_________________________________. (family habit)

I’m from __________________ and ___________________ (things you were told as a child)

and ______________________________________ (a song or saying you learned as a child)

I’m from____________________________________ (a family tradition)

I’m from ______________ (birthplace) and ______________ (ancestry, nationality or place)

_________________________________and _____________________________ (family foods)

From ____________________________________________ (a story about a family member)

_________________________________________________ (detail about the story or person)

_____________________________ (description of family momentos, pictures or treasures.)

_____________________ (location of momentos – under my bed, on the wall, in my heart)

_____________________________________________________ (more description if needed)