Where I'm From

Where I’m From #42

By Melissa Meloro

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from books,

From Italian Ice, brown, low-pile carpet, and a big stack of records

I am from the downstairs room where I keep a bucket of toys, including an old cast from my arm,

smelly and covered in faded 2nd grade signatures.

I am from the warm, never-bending rule of Family First

And original performances created with a dozen cousins

I am from freshly cut bluegrass mowed in the summer

(its tidy stripes brought my sweaty father pride)

I am from an R2D2 action figure, and a sticker from my grandma that says ERA NOW.

From DeenPatriceMarthaAmyNancyJennifer and DanielMichaelJosephVincenzoChristopher

I’m from Wear Something Appropriate, not that, that’s not appropriate

And Do the right thing. Think of how lucky you are.

I am from light the menorah and put it up there so you don't set the Christmas tree on fire

Take a picture, you have to take a picture, you don’t want to forget

From tomato sauce and chicken cutlets

From a desk in a freezer in the meat packing district where my grandfather worked the phones

and from my mother standing in front of a Board of Education

facing reprimand

...for wearing pants

Cutting perfect circles in pasta dough with a juice glass

I am from the moments cooked in kitchens, documented in photos

stored in boxes, labeled with pens, kept in wallets, reminding us. You don’t want to forget.

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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