Where I'm From

Where I’m From #8 By Emily Brisse Inspired by George Ella Lyon I’m from backyard vegetable gardens, from the rhubarb in spring to tomatoes in fall, from cold cans of Pepsi and red licorice twists, the long hollow candy doubling as a straw. I’m from kid-marked lawns  of crab grass and dirt patches,  spikey and flour-dry, from the trees we played beneath– those two giant pines– and the birches we pe...

 Where I’m From #7 By Alexis Donkin Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from freshly inked paper From acrylic coated canvas and natural bristle brushes, Lowden guitars and Audix microphones. I am from skylights flooding into stained glass Dappling floors and walls with manipulated light, refined and separated, only to pool onto quilts in chaos. I am from rotting leaves Mingled with slender needles R...

 Where I’m From #6 By Tiffany Babb Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from coffee grounds From cheap maple syrup and Lipton tea bags I am from the place where spiders hide chaotic, loud-- where are you? I am from dandelion blossoms Heavy with pollen and waiting to travel I'm from celery and onions  chopped so fine they're transparent,  From Eloisa and Chuyi I'm from laughing too loud and loving too...

Where I’m From #5 By Aimee Seiff Christian Inspired by George Ella Lyon I believed I was from nowhere. I knew I had to be from somewhere Yet I didn’t believe that until I had proof because I didn’t know you could be from nowhere and somewhere at the same time I am also of somewhere. Someone. I am from subways and sidewalks From the city that never sleeps. Gritty, overcrowded, noisy And wonderful....

Where I’m From #4 By Judith van Praag Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from one knife cuts all, Red leather sheath protecting blade and fingers From Sunlight soap, Potassium Permanganate and Vim. I am from “met de Franse slag,” clean enough for the eye, Artistic, Bohemian, a raven’s nest. I am from reading under the elms Dandelion stains, daisy chains and horse manure (earthy, solid, fertilizing)...

 Where I’m From #3 By Kelly Burch Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from books From cardboard boxes of them, piled in the attic and garage I am from the hedges Wild, unruly, sheltering kids and wasps I am from a towering pine tree, Rope swing whipping through the air, kids screeching with joy, or terror I’m from impulses and big dreams From William and Walter I’m from insistent opinions and passio...

Where I’m From #2 By Angelique Gagnon Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from sheet music, From bacon grease saved in glass jars and Land-O-Lakes butter. I am from the brown Victorian house that by outward appearance never reached its full potential, (2-story, kept at 65 degrees, in the sub-zero winter.) I am from the Lily of the Valley, delicate, late birthday gift of Spring, whose aroma I secretl...

Where I’m From #1  By Mesa Fama Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from ink and paper, From Folgers coffee and Coffeemate vanilla creamer. I am from the clover patch next to the concrete driveway. (Dewy, earthy, a soft spot in the hard grass.) I am from the oak trees Whose surety in trunk and steadfastness in roots lined the road and guided me to  my mother when my aunt was lost and couldn’t rememb...

Where I’m From poems inspired by George Ella Lyon featuring all kinds of phenomenal writers, hosted by Alyson Shelton. Episode one arriving August 19th.