Where I'm From

I am from sponges,
from carpet and air fresheners.
I am from warm blankets and fuzzy socks.
I am from eating at the coffee table
and piles of dishes from the night before.

I am from 2 great-grandmothers,
5 grandparents, 12 aunts and uncles and 25 cousins.
I am from songs, "scary" family made videos,
the parties with soda and iced tea, sopa and beans.
I am from he said, she said family rumors but also
the hugs and kisses,
the I love you's and God Bless's.

I'm from mass at noon and "can we go to grandma's now, Dad?"
from rosaries and prayers every night.
I'm from rain and little snow
from running through the sprinklers and tanning in the backyard.
I'm from the fruitless mulberry with carvings
and the weight of 5 kids climbing in at one time.
I'm from 4 cups of coffee on Sunday, "scrambled or juice egg?"
asks Grandma, or maybe some Cream o' Wheat.
I'm from Jesus's birthday and stockings first
from no pictures of Grandaddy and thank you Santa.

I am from desert dirt and red Georgian dirt.
I am from goat heads and red ant hills.
I am from California freeways and two lane highways.
I am from the Southern Cowgirl and the Mexican man meeting in the middle.
I am from the love, work, sweat and tears of a Family.