Where I am From

I am from biscuits, cornbread and turnip greens,

from Velpeau and Vera

whose Harris' Grocery had a sign:

"Come in. It's Kool inside."

I'm from standing on the bench-seat

beside Grandaddy making home deliveries

in a shiny black pick-up.

I'm from bride dolls in crisp white dresses

and pedaling my bike to Ma Ma's house

sneaking into Verna's room to hunt

till I touch the forbidden Effanbee.

I'm from swinging on the wide front porch

watching cars leaving- kadunk, kadunk-

on the concrete bridge over the railroad tracks.

I'm from yard sales on the courthouse lawn

Saturdays with friends to buy

skirt and sweater sets and saddle-oxfords

for Friday night sock hops at the Rec Center.

I'm from selling hot buttered popcorn at

Elmore's Five and Ten

listening to Elvis' Blue, Blue Christmas

while ringing up all the town folks

at the antique cash register.

I'm from pas de bourrée  and balancé,

breast-stroking for ribbons, singing

Push 'em back, Push 'em back, Way back

and War Eagle, Fly down the field!

I'm from the Lord blessing and keeping

chain smokers and a closet drinker

dry as limestone for Sunday dinner at his Mama’s.

I’m from a church wedding in a hand-made gown

tinged with blood and tears of my mother.

I'm from train whistles in the night

suggesting the romance

of moving on and starting out

with a young love that lives on…..

My favorite books were discarded

Sears and Roebuck catalogues

worn and studied. I cut

paper dolls and made stories:

antagonist, protagonist, friend and foe

dramas dreamed in a snug bed

to the score of trains moving fast

waiting for my time to come.