Where I'm From

Where I'm From

Where I’m From – by Asia McGhee

I am from Buckeye, from hot dogs and salad. I am from the yellow painted house. (Fading, egg smelling paint.)

I am from the rose bush, the tall green leaved tree whose torso was cut away from me long ago.

I’m from picnics and brown eyes, from Lisa and Jerome. I’m from fighters and protectors, from shut up shuttin up and behave.

I am from He who protects my family with herding me and my family and songs that we all share together.

I’m from Ohio and Synagogue Africa, fried pork chops and steamed cabbage.
From the head my grandmother almost lost from a stroke, the soul my father had restored by God.


In my box there are many treasures,
Sheltering old pictures,
Of faces that I remember who remain in my memories.
I am from those moments—
Innocent and free with myself and others—
Playing games and making memories