I am from sun tan lotion
From Malibu and water ski’s.
I’m from the big, blue waves that crash into shore.
From the lilacs, the raspberry bushes my grandpa planted.
I am from eating Christmas dinner at the kids’ table.
From playing scategories and laughing until I pee my pants.
From Shari and Paul and Hofbauer.
I’m from the torture of our siblings and
Fighting between conversations.
From “Because I said so!” and repetition of you’re getting on my nerves.
I am from visiting Father Rick twice a year,
Waiting until we’re 20 to do what we should’ve done at 16.
I’m from country side,
Slicing ham and mashing potatoes.
From freaking out the cousins by pushing the crippled one in the pool…
The getting nervous and yelling, and the relief it was all planned out.
I am from the wooden chest.
Holding hundreds of unimportant pictures
That we feel the need to keep.
From roll top desks and grandfather clocks
Only one Big Man can create.
And this certain man who left us too early
Left what he could, to keep us all sane.