2025/Anjarei-

I am from The Cradle of the Renaissance,

From the Land of the Morning Calm and Paradise of the Pacific.

I am from film and fashion under the Rialto bridge.

The smell of pizza and pollution

I am from near the Floating City,

The winding canals and architecture

Whose hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters I remember

As if they were my own.

I am from a working nurse and G.I,

From 2-3 year stays and worldwide travel.

I am from the hard workers.

From “Get good grades” and “Stand up straight.”

I am from pencils and imagination,

With a blank canvas to pour it all on,

And ten illustrations I can do myself.

I’m from hellos and goodbyes,

Old friends and traveling.

From the voices lost to the experience

To the achievements used to keep me happy.

Under my bed was a small purple box spilling trinkets laced with memories,

An amount of blurred faces

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments -

Of peace before I move to another place

I am a dandelion attached to the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon