Where I’m From #53

By Gillian Jorgensen

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from dirt clods,

from cheddar cheese and Crisco shortening.

I am from the wallpaper in every room.

(Florals, rabbits, my fingertips followed textures rough and smooth.)

I am from wheat fields, turning from green to gold with the seasons and

always full of grasshoppers.

I’m from roll-ups and freckles,

from Catherine and Melvina.

I’m from the meticulous planners

and the wanderers.

From figure it out and go outside.

I’m from come follow me and basketball in the cultural hall.

I’m from Denver and Scottish caves,

rice-and-chili-with-cheese-on-top and cream soda.

From the spotted horse my uncle rode to my dreaming grandmother,

my great-grandmother’s piano sailing across seas.

In the floral-carved buffet, behind the cabinet whose door was held closed

with a wedge of orange paper, were albums of photographs, neat and

loose, dated and identified with fading ink.

I am from these captured moments, some forgotten and most embellished,

ready to be a bedtime story, ready to be seen and shared.

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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