Where I'm From

Where I’m From #26
by Tonya Todd
Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from books and cats and baseball bats,
from Mother’s Milk and Banner Batteries.
I am from the swimming pool in the back yard.
(Deep, shimmering
eyes stinging like chlorinated dreams.)
I am from Oleander bushes,
their poison-laced leaves
bright and fragrant as rose petals.
I am from Christmas cookies and big teeth,
from Butterflies and Carnations.
I am from hand washers
and hand-me-ups,
from sit up and settle down.
I am from spiritual freedom,
endless open paths that led to
one God.
I am from magyarsziren and the Pennsylvania Dutchess of Bucks County—north of
brotherly love,
dark chocolate almonds and ice cream after everything.
From the three engagement rings Nana accepted
at one time,
the bus my mother fled between my fathers.
In my closet was a warm nest
of devoted kittens.
a blanket of unconditional love
to purr my troubled mind to sleep.
I am from these creatures —
graced with magnificent progenal gifts —
morphing from monster to Muse.

Where to find Tonya:
Website: https://www.mstonyatodd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstonyatodd/


Where to find Alyson:
Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com
Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/