Where I'm From

I am from the blue house

down the curving road,

The humble house but with five cars

With big trees to enclose them all.

I am from overflowing bookshelves

Open windows

to see the sunset behind the lawn

I am from evenings laughing on the deck,

grilling food, overhearing bits from the nearby football game

Until we looked up and spotted the Big Dipper

Overlooking the swing set,

the center of the large backyard,

that once became headquarters

for my childhood imagination.

I am from the wiffle ball stadium,

When you look closely you can see,

The bases: three trees and a sandbox,

Until the roof gutters catch a foul ball

Or the game ends disputing a close call.

From bike rides up to the white house,

or to Dahl’s for a free cookie,

With a song always in my heart,

to the lull of the shower,

the drone of the mower,

(Or Dad’s attempts at rocking!)

I am from Grandma O’s kind

A love for teaching,

a flute for playing,

a heart for the Lord

My father’s humor and stature,

My mother’s music and compassion.

My brother’s loyalty to his Hawkeyes

and his diving board adventure.

I am from Gull Lake sunsets,

Belonging there more ways than one,

Admiring the beauty of Creation,

and the joy I’ve truly found.

I am from late night sleepovers,

Friends or cousins,

Playing cards or dominoes,

Writing songs or playing dolls,

Eating green bean casserole.

Or sweets, my cup of tea,

(or should I say, hot chocolate)

Kringle and fruit salad,

Or maybe, just my dad’s small-medium of mint-chip at midnight,

Licking the bowl, I learned from him well,

Rinsing a milk glass twice.

While the animals all face the TV

and the spices face front.

Covered in love and possibilities,

Half-written stories and unfinished projects,

A pool table, I mean, a storage table

A closet lined with stacks and stacks of photo albums

Based on memories uncontained

A quirky style, some may say.

An unforgettable bunch.

It may not be the best of all lifestyles in the world …

… But only one is!

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- I had to write this for a class, but I like how many references found their way into it!  Enjoy!!  :)