Where I'm From
Sheri Edwards

I am from barefoot in lilac bushes
Shaded hideout and mud pies
I am from crab apples and roller skates
Hide and seek amongst fireflies

I am from Chatty Kathy and paper dolls
Pebbles and Bam Bam scattered around
I am from basement play in make believe
Tree house fort and old rope swings;

I am from playing school in old time desks
Blackboard squeaks and Big Chief tablets
With wide spaces for small scribbles
in new colored pencils and cinnamon markers

I am from books hugged close
As yellow elm and Russian olive leaves
Dance around in the swirls of autumn
Delivering me to the double doors of Will-Moore School.

I'm from "Dad Call Cindy" as Jeannie's black lab follows
In the alley we yell the words; she drops her head to stay
While we wander down to the Elks swimming pool
Friends diving for dimes and swimming all day;

I am from splashing and chlorine 'til 5 o'clock closing.
Quick-stepping barefoot on hot black tar
Stopping a second at Dad's Hedaul's office
Hoping for help: "Can I have dime?"
Jeannie and I to Dairy Queen each
A Five cent chocolate dip
Finishes our daily swimming trip.

I am from Cousins, cards, and demolition cars
Peanut butter fudge high on the shelf in a bin;
Kids sneak the snack and Aunt Vera giggles;
her fudge frames my sheepish grin.

I am from Fishing, Wind, Toads, Sand
A lake side cabin; a week of summer fun;
McIntosh, Tents, Hearts, and Solitare Tournaments
Mosquitoes we slap and
Chipmunks we coax -- quietly sitting, sunflower seeds
presents held in our palms.

I am from Sturgeon Paddlefish Northern Pike
Golden sunsets and sparkling sand
"Bottom's up" warns each cast
A record fish and Daddy's delight
Missouri River whirls, twirls,
keep safe from the current fright.

I am from slow, conversation walks through town
Vicki and I from her house to mine;
Empty pockets and time to spare;
On Floor 13 the janitor jokes we love to hear

I am from hours imagining through museum wonders:
Pronghorn antelope, buffalo,
Sitting Bull, Crow's Heart, Four Bears,
Sacakawea, Lewis and Clark, smallpox
Learning together on our own
Keeping cool with empty pockets.

I am from Skateboard down the capitol walk
chased away; always coming back

I am from Judy and Ellen -- we drive and dare
Dances and music; Teen Club midnights;
Catwalk dangers to sandbar capers
Curfew comes quick; watch the porch lights.

I am from Demonettes and Third Chair Drum
Calgary Stampede First Place Band
Summer Tour: Ghosts of the past
Yellowstone and Glacier Park

I am from Sixty degees below zero
Windy walk wrapped up in wool and leg warmers;
I am from one hundred degrees, thunderstorms,
Pouncing through puddles; laughing through leaves;

I am from knowing that through all these,
My mom is at home when help I need.