Ria Carrogan
Where I’m From #47
By Ria Carrogan
Inspired by George Ella Lyon
I am from an 80s VHS player and Saturday morning cartoons.
From Ice Magic and Marmite.
I am from sitting on the back door step on warm summer nights, sipping sharp cider and watching the bats in the apple tree.
I am from lavender and thistle,
Fragrant, sharp, with a defiant ability to flourish.
I am from three siblings, gently teasing our mother and avoiding having my photo taken.
From Agnes and Steve (as well as Pete and Angela).
I am from “just one more chapter” and retreating into imaginary worlds.
From “you need to brush your hair, it is always such a mess” and “ten minutes until dinner!”
I’m from “I was raised Catholic so don’t trust religion” even though I sing hymns at school every day.
I’m from southern softness and the clan Lindsey.
An enticing tin of Quality Street, brightly coloured wrappers glinting in Christmas lights, and a dinner of picky bits (the best type of dinner).
From climbing out of the bedroom window and unpicking trouser seams to make bell-bottoms. Meeting boys and dancing all night.
From the grandmother who I am supposed to look like but I cannot remember her face.
The photos of my childhood are lost, probably in landfill now, rotting and yellow. Forgotten. The wristband from my birth is gone. I used to run my fingers along it, wondering how something so small fit my wrist. These photos and momentos are memories that I no longer have. Pictures of my mother smiling down at me in her arms. What will I have to show my daughter about who I was? That we looked alike?
Where to find Ria:
Where to find Alyson:
Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com
Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/
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