• Where I'm From

    I am from cassette tapes
    From lemon Pledge and 90's Nickelodeon.
    I am from the old blue garage door.
    (wooden, cracked;
    torn from it's tracks.)
    I am from the rosebush,
    the strong, towering willow tree
    whose limbs wave to me in the breeze.

    I'm from meatballs and New York accents,
    from Carolyn and Kevin.
    I'm from the sarcastic remarks
    and the loud talkers,
    from "what's the magic word" and
    "don't eat that sand."
    I'm from the Catholics and Christians,
    both remotely similar to me.
    I'm from Virginia Beach and Italy at heart,
    pasta and candles.
    From the brother my father lost
    to cancer.
    In the corner of my tiny closet
    pictures are tucked away
    hiding happy smiles, in the moment or posed,
    of those I know and others I can't remember;
    I am from these many faces-
    Present forever in my memory.