I am from a lazy street. Is it clement or cement?
The fields are lush full of honeysuckle and bees
Brown skin glistening in the sun’s heat
Walking barefoot on concrete
I am from ice-tea and food for the soul
Come in when the street lights are aglow
And a bit of gossip with every stroll
The sound of bees, wasps, dragon flies
Scorching truths and hidden lies
Don’t look at the sky…oh no there’s a
Star in your eye
I am from yes ma’am and no ma’am
Yes, sir and no sir
A bible belt holding together a mini skirt
I am from respect your elders, or else
Eyes downcast
Sweet little smile
Bow and curtsy
Is she not worthy?
Little Fires everywhere
Are those stallions in her hair?
I am from sugar from the neighbor
Any gossip to share?
Dreamed of fish last night
Cross your belly and hold on tight
I am from the back of my eyelids
My origin unfolding
I am from the tips of my fingers
Constantly molding
Humming a hymn…
Just a closer walk
Is it real, or just fantasy talk?
I am, I am, I am…
Lava Ham is a graduate student and Trinity Fellow studying English. This piece was inspired by a prompt given to Lava by a professor in a poetry class to write a poem about “Where I Am From.”
Lyndale Neighborhood by Hennepin Country Library, http://cdm16280.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16280coll1/id/231