Where I’m From…

 

I am from milk, from Beatrice and tricolsan.

I am from the trees in the woods.  (Tall, limber, and smelling of pine).

I am from the purple lilacs of the lilac tree, whose scent continues long after spring.

I am from lobster feasts and music, from Margaret and Liza and Louis.

I am from the angry and the compassionate.

From do your best and don’t you fail.

I am from the crucifix and the blasphemy.

I’m from Winnipeg and Ireland, potatoes and tourtiere.

From dad losing his finger to the car motor, mom driving herself to the hospital in labour, and brother collapsing in the heat of a morning run.

I am from the hope chest in my parent’s room, the blanket passed down from generation to generation, the purity of spending time with my grandmother knitting.  I am from these moments, from these teachings, which will continue with my little girl.

The WHERE I’M FROM Template

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.

I am from the _______ (home description… adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)

I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).

I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).

From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).

I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I’m from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).

From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).

I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

 

Click here to listen to George Ella Lyon voice her poem.

 

The template makes it really simple for anyone to complete this exercise, and feel a bit like a poet.  Let me know what yours sounds like or leave a comment to let me know where I can read your writing!

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