Where I'm From

Where I’m From #45

By Miranda Vatterott

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from a latchkey

From Vicks Vaporub for whatever ails you

Soaring heat over 100 degrees of the Central Valley

At least it’s dry heat

I am from raisins and figs from the fields my great grandparents worked 

From summer camping trips 

And long sobremesas

From Stella and Jesse whose provisions had no end 

From a teacher and a cop 

A broken home

I am from hugs and kisses

And, “spare the rod, spoil the child”

“You can be anyone you want to be”

And “read if you are bored”

From stand, sit, kneel, repeat at St. Anthony’s parish

“Have you been to confession lately?”

From Fresno

And broken Spanish

I am from tri tip and homemade flour tortillas

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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