Where I’m From #27

By Maureen C. Berry

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from buttercream yellow kitchen walls,

From a General Electric avocado green stove and The Good Housekeeping Cookbook.

I am from the tiger lilies pushing up against the chain-linked fence.

(Orange, erect, between patches of urine-soaked lawn from the dogs.)

I am from the Rose of Sharon

The neighbor’s elm

Whose limbs stole across our yard blanketing pollen

Like snow

Every spring.

I am from Easter baskets and hand-me-downs,

Mary Margaret and Patrick Dixon.

I’m from the “Get that dog outta heres”

And “Be home before the streetlights are on,”

From Sit still! and Hurry up!

I’m from Three Rivers and The Terrible Towel,

Chipped ham from Bob’s Grocery two doors down and tuna noodle casseroles.

From the belt my father wielded like power

From my mother immunizing the sick and poor.

I’m from Bless me Father for I have sinned, Hail Mary Full of Grace, Jesus on the cross

in every room, and candles lit for the deceased and fallen.

I’m from pride and hope—vats of scrambled eggs for dinner, Fish on Fridays.

From the woman who birthed and raised six boys and six girls, mostly alone, with no

regrets.

Where to find Maureen:

Website: https://maureencberry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maureenc.berry/

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/