2024/Kenneth -

I am from the sun’s origin, the beautiful country,

from emerald, green and scarlet red.

I am from the woven blanket under the light of a cabin.

Grey, scorching, it tasted like fish.

I am from the state of the Grand Canyon,

the backyard lemon trees,

Whose fresh grown lemons I remember

as if they were my own.

I’m from red, white and blue,

From highs, lows, and a cup of gelato.

I’m from the flight before the last day of kindergarten and the

backyard garden,

from seeing where Dad works in the Air Force and my first sentence before a year!

I’m from the struggles as a TCK

With a purple balloon gliding away

And ten songs on the recorder I can play myself.

I’m from field trips and the “How did you do that?”,

The lively parties and “Wake up, get ready for school?”

From the Blu-ray disk of my early self lost

To the labyrinths of boxes, the toys and routines

Used to keep me focused in school.

Under my bed was a worn arm sling, an airline pin,

Spilling the memories of several flights,

An old collar of a lost dog

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments -

Airport to airport before I move on with a PCS-

A dandelion’s seed fallen from the family tree.