2025/Michael -

I am from the Land of the Rising Sun

from cherry blossoms and Anima

I am from the vending machines under the neon lights

it smelled like Shinkansen

i am from lotte world

the roller coaster whose loop-de-loops I remember.

As if they were my own

I am from the Tar Heel and City of oaks

I am from Michael and Nichelle

I am from the deep-dish cobbler and the sweet potato pie

from biscuits and gravy

I am from the basketball with a net and ten buckets

I can score myself.

I’m from the boot and pizza pasta and Leaning Tower of Pisa.

From Venice lost to the sunset glow.

To the Spaghetti house used to keep me happy.

Under my bed was a box spilling clothes.

A pile of filth to drift beneath my dreams

I am from those moments

PCSd before I turned purple.

I am a dandelion attached to the family tree

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon