I am from...

George Ella Lyons is an Appalachian author and poet.She has written many children's books. Her poem, WHERE I'M FROM follows:

Where I'm From
by George Ella Lyons

I am from clothespins,
from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.
I am from the dirt under the black porch.
(Black, glistening
it tasted like beets.)
I am from the forsythia bush,
the Dutch elm
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.

I'm from fudge and eyeglasses,
from Imogene and Alafair.
I'm from the know-it-alls
and the pass-it-ons,
from perk up and pipe down.
I'm from He restoreth my soul
with a cottonball lamb
and ten verses I can say myself.

I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch,
fried corn and strong coffee.
From the finger my grandfather lost
to the auger
the eye my father shut to keep his sight.
Under my bed was a dress box
spilling old pictures,
a sift of lost faces
to drift beneath my dreams.
I am from those moments-
snapped before I budded-
leaf-fall from the family tree.

Brooke and Quilly and Gawpo followed the format below, and did their own "I am from"...and I love them! Haven't done mine yet, but I think everyone should, and then frame them. Beautiful.

I am from____________________(specific ordinary item) from ______________(product name) and ______________________.

I am from the ___________________(home description...adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the ____________(plant, flower, natural item), the _________________(plant, flower, natural detail).

I am from __________________(family tradition) and ___________(family trait), from ________________(name of family member) and _________________(another family name), and ___________________(family name).

I am from ____________________(description of family tendency) and ________________(another one).

From __________________________(something you were told as a child) and ____________(another).

I am from ____________________________(representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I am from ___________________(place of birth and family ancestry), ______________ (two food items representing your family).

From the ______________(specific family story about a specific person and detail), the ______________(another detail), and ______________________________(another detail about another family member).

I am from ___________________(location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

Comments

[Kat]

This is such a beautiful reminder that we are so much more than just machines. Thanks for sharing this Jackie.

[Nessa]

I like all of theirs, too. I am having difficulty doing mine. I think I'm not feeling very introspective right now.

[Jackie]

Sure, Kat. Wouldn't you just love to see a bunch of kids do this one?

Nessa, that must be my problem, too, I can't seem to get it. And I want to do one. Started thinking about it though, and all the memories weren't good ones. I will have to find a balance - and that'll take some 'work'. I just want fun right now - not work.

[Alison]

I loved the exercise! It was good for me to ask myself the questions, cull the meaning. Thank you for posting this.

[Jackie]

Glad you had fun, Alison. I can't imagine anyone wouldn't. Have to find time to work on mine soon!

[Creekhiker]

Jackie, I didn't even leave a comment when I read this last night. I became so obsessed, I worked on mine til 2 am! What a fun writing project! Thanks so much! Holly

[Velvet Sacks]

Jackie, thanks for posting this. I love seeing what others have done with it and look forward to trying it myself.

[Jackie]

Holly, thanks for writing one - your's was great!

Velvet, I'll be waiting to read it. I know it'll be interesting!