Where I'm From

Where I’m From #14

By Alyson Shelton 

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from bathing suits,

From Ragu and Chanel No. 5.

I am from sandy feet.

(Gritty, crunchy on the floor and in my mouth,

Proof of daily joys.)

I am from kelp, wrapped around my ankles,

scaring friends, but never me.

I’m from a lead foot on the accelerator and

making family jokes out of fresh wounds, 

the ones that still ache with shame,

From Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim.

I’m from No Pain, No Gains and

You’ll be FINE.

I’m from No Man Will Ever Love You

And You’re Too Smart for Your Own Good.

I’m from New Age Spirituality and lapsed Catholicism.

Word Salad dressed with self-loathing.

I’m from tough Pioneer stock and amnesiac immigrants,

the details of their stories willfully forgotten.

I’m from freshly squeezed carrot juice and

the blast of Binaca Spray inexpertly used to cover

up Coronas and bong hits.

From my brother, who fell from a cliff and died to 

another brother who was shot in the face and lived1

In my closet, stacked and organized sit my 

early memories, showing me how we once

appeared whole, performing a certain type of 

affluent, effortless togetherness.

I search beyond the pictures to remind myself

that our far flung pieces and their inability 

to approach whole now, is not my fault.

It never was.

Where I’m From

By Anonymous

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from an art desk.

From Coors and Windsor Newton

I am from the sun-kissed, come home when the street lights come on Balboa of the 70s.

I am from sandy shores, pelicans and endless horizon lines

I’m from Sunday brunch and life-long friends

From Cookie and Bri

I’m from tear stained pillow cases, unsaid feelings and joyfully singing, “Hello” to hide it all

From “deal with it life isn’t fair” and “do not stop pass go”

I’m from kneel, sit, genuflect and robes soaked in incense

I’m from Golden Gates, hills, trolleys and four leaf clovers

I’m from burrito mixings in the fridge and maxed credit lines at TW Market

I’m from alcoholism, hidden sexuality and broken hearts with enough love and happy memories to out-shine it all.

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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