Where I'm From

 Where I’m From #50

By Mya McDowell

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from above ground pool.

From Tropicana Orange Juice and Entennmann’s. I am from the house on the corner,

tiny, colorful, smelling like fresh-cut grass.

I am from bright tulips,

that only grow at the crack of Spring.

I’m from movie nights and sensitivity

From Keith McDowell and Yasmin Herrera

I’m from the harmless teasing and bike rides. From ‘You need to have self-discipline’ and ‘Never give up.’

I’m from questions of extensional meanings and inner healings. I’m from New York and the McDowells,

egg sandwiches, and cucumbers. From the time my little brother gave our puppy an intervention,

the award my father won from running a marathon. In the attic is a worn blue bin of memories, organized by my scatterbrained mother,

telling a series of childhood stories. I am from those polaroids,

dated and labeled,

to be handed down to the next generation of dreamers.

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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