I am from a college town
born a Wolverine fan.
I am from snowstorms in April,
my dog pulling me along
in my little blue sled.

I am from South Side Place,
Edlowe Street.
Sweltering heat.
Where bathing suits
were the outfit of choice,
even during Christmas.
I am from baseball in the backyard,
jaggedly cutting Courtney's hair,
feeding the one-eyed neighborhood cat.
I am from fire ants and eternal summer.

I am from Frankfurt meets Dublin,
second generation,
now American.

I am almost from San Francisco.
Golden Gate Bride,
Alcatraz,
row houses and street cars.
But I'm not.

I am from rolling green hills,
gently sloped and sleeping
like hibernating green bears.
I am from coal mines.
Where all four seasons
are equally felt and seen,
and people speak
like out-of-tune banjos.