I am from candy cigarettes
Fred’s Market on the corner
And my hairless doll
I am from wood and brick
Quiet streets
Sunny days
And a ringing phone
I am from tomato plants growing in Grandpa’s backyard
Carnations
A bird bath
And a skinny stairway leading down to a cold basement
I’m from candlelight Christmas Eve services
And hanging the giant star
From Lois and John
I’m from intelligence, laughter, and secrets,
“Clean your room”
And “can I go to the corner store”
I’m from Foreigner and “Double Vision”
Tether ball
And winter
Cool, inviting,
And exciting
I’m from Burlingame, California
Scotland, Germany, and England
Boiled Raisin Cake
And Great-Grandpa Will who blazed a trail at 19.
Leaving that all behind, I am going to a cabin in the snow
Peaceful, rustic
Beautiful
Because of my love for writing
With Grandma and Mom
Both honest
And secretive
I am going to “Are you My Mother”
The Lake House
And chicken ceasar salads
I am going to write novels
Own land
Build a house with secret passageways
Sing
Be with my children, and grandchildren
I bring with me Barbie and Ken
Halloween, caramel apples
Anticipation
My best friend Cheryl, my best dog Andy
Grandma
I am going to be an actor
An architect
Teacher
I bring with me the ocean
Grandpa’s treehouse, and Burlingame
I leave behind Mom
Half Moon Bay
The Bible
1000 songs
Swiss steak
Whining
Longing, loss, and my mom dying
I am clever, a stone wall
Running, an eagle
Plums, a rose
Applause and an IQ of 124
I am spring, English 101
Zest soap, See’s Candies
I am a Wallace
Scottish, German, English
Distraught, and writer
I am 1000 songs
Cinderfella
Green-eyed, blue
Drums
Country music
Walnut trees
And Mt. Everest
And I am Grandma
Searching, hardwood
Stubborn, loving
Youthful, tenacious
Content, and crashing
I am me.
© 2009
Charleigh Wallace 