We Are From
A collective poem by the Honors 120-FR9 class, Fall 2021 Inspired by “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon & the I Am From Project
We are from corn fields and the cul-de-sac with the downed tree in
the center,
Family sitting around the dinner table, dog hair, Kevin the grey cat,
Fresh-cut grass and smoke from the fire next door,
Stuffed animals, essential oils, paintings, fairy lights, and yelling,
The elf on the shelf in the living room and 24 hours of A Christmas
Story every Christmas Day,
Loud people, loud music, loud dogs, loud cars,
The sound of a chainsaw,
The smell of dumplings, home-cooked meals, Yankee candles,
burning leaves,
Garlic powder, cigar and cigarette smoke, baked goods,
Pine trees, garlic, books, mud, and Folger’s coffee,
Cars driving by on the highway behind us,
Neighbors smiling and waving as they pass,
Fresh (spicy) food, shootings, and the 12 around the neighborhood
constantly,
Cow manure, straw bales, and chickens clucking,
Wreaths, small candles, loofahs, Lindt chocolate,
Weed, fireworks, and people selling stuff in the streets in the
mornings: “AGUACATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.”
We are from cake, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, pork
sausage, and ramen,
Kolaches, beef stew, and soda bread,
Chocolate chip cookies, gooey butter cookies, oatmeal raisin
cookies
Deer sausage, smokies, fresh baked rolls, soups and stews,
Peanut butter blossoms, cherry pie, mints, and mashed potatoes,
Orange slices, Scotcheroos, and a bowl of M&M’s,
Lumpia, rainbow jello, nilaga, kare kare, siopao, arroz caldo, ube,
Halo-halo and Mississippi pot roast,
Grilled meats and Chef Boyardee pizza topped with sliced hot dogs,
Smoked pulled pork, Italian venison, corn on the cob, and schnitzel,
Bandeja paisa, mondongo, sancocho, chocorramo, y arepa,
Frijoles, papa criolla, arroz con pollo, Colombian coffee, pastel de
pollo, y empanadas,
Peach dumplings, fried corn, chuck roast,
Mixed gelatin, pozole, mole, and shrimp in garlic sauce.
We are from phrases like, “Never too late,” “Love you,” and “Think
before you act.”
“Why can’t you be more like your sisters?”
“Come back later,” “C'est la vie,” and “Have Fun.”
“Try new things,” “Be good,” and “There’s no place like home.”
“Take it slow,” “Be nice to your brother,” and “I don’t have favorites.”
“Even though you’re upset, know that I still love you.”
“Give 110%” and “Be humble.”
“Mahal kita” and “Love you more than most.”
“Don’t be like your brother and sisters.”
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”
“Cojalo Cojaloooooo” y “El que come callado come 2 veces.”
“Oigan a este bobo hijueputa” y “El golpe es el que avisa.”
“A cow needs its tail for more than one fly season.”
“Kaaaaaaaa,” “Te haces pendeja o que,” y “Calmense.”
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
“Don’t be afraid of failure” and “I’ll Love you forever, forever and
always.”
We are learning to take our time, go outside, recharge, and witness
personal growth,
To take chances, not to focus on the little things and keep moving
forward.
And we are learning that people are kind.
We believe that work ethic will take us ten times farther than talent
ever will,
It helps to have a speed bump between your mind and your mouth,
Mom is the unique person in the world that won’t hurt you,
And sometimes you have to do what's best for you:
It’s ok to be selfish, even though it hurts at first.
We pick our friendships wisely because they make an impact on our
decisions.
People change, and we aren’t afraid to lose those that we used to be
close to,
As long as we stay kind and move towards healing.
In the future, we look forward to careers that we are
passionate about,
And living life with people who care about us and love us for
ourselves,
We will be successful as long as we stay true to ourselves and help
other people.
But who knows?
No one will call us to put money in our pockets.
We don't hold on to too much of the past and we aren’t afraid to
move forward.