Forevermore Poem by Jennifer Peckins

I am from everything and nothing
This and that
Darkness and light
White and black

I am from dreams of Brooklyn
And my ancestors’ streets
I am from hellos, goodbyes
And San Jose onion treats

From a Do-Dad and a Poppy
I am Jen Chen
Kristylina, Meliiiisa
And my baby, Lincoln

I am from a dented dishwasher
Holding painful memories
I am a cedar hero hideout
And the old small palm trees

From a pet cemetery
With ever-growing weeds
To ants being fried
And the bushes full of bees

I am from nights spent at home
With disgusting Australian peanut butter
I am from matzo pizza and crock pots
And the comments I would mutter

I am from my own original
“Pennsylvania Song”
Too many hours with my sister
And “In The End” gone wrong

I am from a motherly sibling
“Get your work done”
I am from laughs and jokes
“Nimrod”, I’m not that dumb

I am from fast pace summers
And Nova Scotia breeze
Myrtle Beach and Point Pleasant
And the water hitting my knees

I am from slow dropping tears
And heartbreaking days
I am from 10/09/01
Always in my mind she stays

I am from thoughts, kisses and hugs
Peaceful paradise and never-ending love
I am from the sky, the stars and the moon
Kept in a shoebox, hidden in my room