Where I'm From

Where I’m From #9

By Giselle Interiano

Inspired by Geroge Ella Lyon

I am from recycled food containers with leftovers instead of yogurt. 

From watered down dish soap and Vicks. 

I am from mold seeping through the bedroom walls, moist, cold, I CAN’T STOP SNEEZING. 

I am from avocado trees with brittle branches and ripe avocados I pick for lunch. 

I am from winter’s at 20218 Steinway’s cul de sac, from doña Chanda and Mama Gema. 

I am from sarcasm and “you’d be beautiful if only you had my green eyes”. 

From “Calladita te ves más bonita” and “I was born a sinner because of that goddamn forbidden fruit”.

I am from the Land of Eternal Spring, black beans and tortillas. 

From my parents’ marriage before they were of age, adulting overnight, leaving abusive childhoods trying to break vicious cycles, only to get sucked right into one. 

I find old remnants of this girl struggling to find herself. All my journals tucked away in my old bedroom. Forgotten moments and feelings written on purple, flowery journals and composition notebooks. I am from those pages, written to remind me of how strong I really was.

Where to find Alyson:

Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com

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

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