29 June 2011

Where I'm From

I am from science fiction stories and Saturday morning cartoons.

I am from summers that melt and winters that drizzle.

I am from acres of farmland, spring fruit blossoms and fall harvests.

I am from laughing voices raised over classic rock radio in crowded kitchens with kids and pets underfoot; from hand-me-downs and potlucks; camping and fishing; climbing trees and running around barefoot.

I am from mom's patience, dad's temper, brother's humor.

I am from fierceness and freckles.

I am from more-the-merrier and anything-for-family and own-your-choices.

I am from logic and reason, from compassion and kindness, and from just doing the laundry.

I am from the Emerald Isle and the Dust Bowl, pan-fried chicken and homemade biscuits.

I am from hallways lined with photo collages, doorways climbed by faded pencil marks, concrete impregnated with tiny hand prints, cedar chests filled with handmade quilts.

I am from simple homes and strong roots. From extended families and generational gatherings. From births and deaths, celebration and mourning, love and loss - all made better by the sharing. 


Inspired by: Where I'm From and SFD and TwoBusy.

Zen
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8 comments:

  1. TwoBusyJune 29, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I really enjoyed all of this, but the second-to-last section in particular... for me, at least, that description felt wonderfully tactile and sensory-rich. Terrific.

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  2. SFDJune 29, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Nicely done.

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  3. OneZenMomJune 29, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    @TwoBusy: Thank you. I was moved by yours, as well. Which I meant to link to in my post, but forgot. Off to correct that now. :)

    @ SFD: Thanks for the inspiration. :)

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  4. Om in MomJune 30, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Love your poem. Love your blog. I have just become your follower number 101!

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  5. AnonymousJune 30, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Best thing you've written maybe ever!

    Love this.

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  6. James (SeattleDad)July 2, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    This was excellent. I read it in my reader just after Two Busy's. Nice stuff. Dare I try my own?

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  7. DGBJuly 5, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Nice.

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  8. Om in MomAugust 28, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Hey OneZenMom! I finally got around to trying it myself. It was a very fun exercise, although I didn't manage to make mine as succinct or beautiful as you did. Oh well. Ommmmmm. :-) Thanks for the inspiration. I linked back to your poem on my post. Hope that's ok.
    Love, Om in Mom x

    ReplyDelete

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