I'M From Poem by Tsunami HiroshiSu

I’m from mud pies and tire swing sets
And the goose nesting in flower bed
I ran from sunblock
And she threw up her hands and yes I did burn
I’m from Ola and Charles
From fudge we always burned
And doing crossword puzzles
And Lyle and Ruth I never met
I know I would have liked them
But I am not from there

I am from the Russian olive tree he’s sworn he’d cut down for years
And from the apple tree that never gives apples
I am from pastures that smell like horses
And grass taller than I was
I’m from slip and slides and sandboxes
And Pace Picante and popcorn
I’m from video tapes and Homeward Bound
And teddy bear wallpaper

I’m from numbers and equations and hiking boots
And medical records and stethoscopes
I’m from stories of matches, tin soldiers and mermaids
And fairy tales that made my head spin
I used to dance in the mirror
And sing when I thought no one could hear
I’m from Shari Lewis and Arthur and Tom Chapin
I’m from dress-up and hand-me-downs
And babysitters

I was grown on hot dogs and Hidden Valley
And told to travel the world
I’m from the green Suburban that saw so many road trips and ham and cheese roll-ups
And I’m from the leaky window or the uneven floor
And hideous carpet she’s always hated
I’m from the piano no one ever learned to play
And the fireplace a bird got stuck in one day
I’m from talking animals and American Girl
I’m from keep your hands to yourself and never take as much as you can carry
I’m from soda in the big girl glasses and spilling root beer floats
I am from a house that’s no longer standing
And I am from Here.