"Where I'm From" by Victoria Lemmings

I am from the Grand Canyon painting in the foyer inked with smoky oranges and royal purples

From crackling fireplaces and smooth, dark marble countertops

I am from emerald green window shutters and warm brick home exterior

From lemon scented dish soap

I am from the busy butterfly bush teeming with life in the backyard

The crimson Japanese maple out front

I’m from eating Peeps before breakfast on Easter morning and stubborn opinions

From Sydney the dog and Dad

I’m from Eddy burping at the dinner table and Joey falling asleep watching football

And from Mom playing opera music too loud

I’m from “Wear your helmet” and “Just read a book”

From the upbeat Old Dan Tucker song

I’m from Fairfax Hospital and Czechoslovakia

Creamy mashed potatoes with melted butter and crumbly gluten free bread

From the time my dad surprised my mom with opera tickets

She was so surprised that she cried

From the thick, worn photo albums in the dusty dining room preserving all our memories

"Where I'm From" by Lola Lane

I am from white radios and an endless stream of NPR

From glasses with foggy lenses and Giant-brand graham crackers.

I am from dog hair on the couch

From the worn-out, laid back warmth.

I am from the purple tulips that live for one second in Spring

From the cherry blossom tree that plagues our house with allergies

I am from movies on Christmas and Sunday night pizza.

From Clare and Kate

I’m from losing everything that can be lost and eating too fast

And from screaming one moment and laughing the next

I’m from don’t get chocolate on your dress and you’re young, you’ll bounce back

And from be the wish you want to see in the world.

I’m from DC United games and from ice cream of course

I’m from Washington, D.C.  and Irish,

Chili and Easter egg dish.

From dad riding his bike from New Jersey to California,

In two months with 200 dollars.

I’m from the dusty photo albums under the couch,

From the adventurous, the have napped and have worked out

From the try-ers and the cry-ers,

The bold and the loud,

The ones who know not everything is worth it.  

"Where I'm From" by Percival Brendan Noble the Third

I am from pencils

From oranges and chopsticks

I am from the creaky wooden floors

And cold toes that poke out from underneath the blankets.

I am from the giant tree that sits in the middle of the backyard

The bamboo that grows from behind the shed

I’m from opening presents the night before Christmas Eve and foodies

From Mom and Dad and Michelle and Yvonne

From Gu je 1

From A yi 1 and 2

From Kauh fu 1 and 2 and 3 and 4

From Suk suk 1 and 2 and 3 and 4

I am from Yvonne hogging all the juice boxes

And Dad playing chinese chess

I’m from eating every grain of rice in my bowl

And saying hello to all my family members before doing anything

And knowing all the Barney songs by heart

I’m from red envelopes at Christmas, Chinese New Year, and birthdays

Mushy rice and ginger and medicine soup

From Michelle hiding in her room all the time because she is such a teenager

From photo album after photo album filled with my 90s-child selfies

I am from hating Kindergarten with every fiber of my being

But letting school seep into every aspect of my life

I am from skirting around my culture

And suddenly embracing it with an unexpected pride and passion

I am from China (and Vietnam) but also Arlington Hospital

From two different worlds

That have merged into one

"Where I'm From" by Bartholomew Stewart

I’m from aluminum, from acetone, and Go-Jo

I’m from a big school in a small town.

I’m from wood shavings, and steel filings,

Whose sharp edges bite into my skin.

"Where I'm From" by Calvin Wintertown

I am from Skip-It’s and track spikes

From pine needles and Glade Plug-ins

I am from the misty breeze of morning fog

Car exhaust and humid sweat

I am from the spans of wild blackberries we picked in Augusts passed

The overgrown mint hat breeches the windowsill box