Jenny1

I am from sandspurs

from wild watermelons and pavement like stovetops

I am from bananas in washcloths,

Not teddy bears or blankets.

I'm from books thrown over my shoulder

and forgotten prayers over macaroni and cheese

I am from the bayou:

crabs that were fun to catch,

crabs no one wanted to eat

I am from lizards in sunny kitchens

(I never could catch them)

I'm from sunburns and ruffled socks

from bike rides on Sunday afternoons

and games of Scrabble I always won

I'm from electric blankets

and cold hardwood floors

I'm from Nancy Drew

and the mermaids I thought were real

I am from the magnolia tree

Whose beauty turned into weapons

but he hadn't known

I am from love

and I am from pain

from those who overcame

and those who never made it

I am from hammocks and guitars.

The rocks that stole teeth,

and the God who gave life

I am from all that is beautiful,

and all that is lacking.