2024/Alyx-

I am from the Land of Wild Animals

From foxes and rabbits

I am from the muddy water under the Gateway Arch

cheesy corn, ravioli, it tasted like provolone.

I am from the Silver Dollar City

the forest park

whose I caves I remember

As if they were my own.

I'm from big snow and winters,

from hot and cool summers

I'm from the BBQ and the

Butter cake,

from “hello” and “thank you!”

I'm from reading

with a book

and ten “Do your homework!” I can complete myself.

I’m from bobcats and mountain lions,

fox squirrels and American minks

From the outdoors lost

to the forest,

Used to keep me awake.

Under my bed was a purple box

spilling random things,

a kind of pencil

to drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments-

Doing my homework before I play outside with friends-

Dandelions fallen from the bridges.