2025/John -

I am from Lone Star.

From Longhorn cattle and rodeos.

I am from the calm beaches under the blue sky.

It tasted like salt.

I am from The Land of the Morning Calm,

the sacred temples

Whose rainbow of colors I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from Samsung and Daiso,

And from Mariana.

I am from the kind

and the gentle,

from “Stop yelling!” and “John!”

I am from the loud jets

with a cold winter

and ten Sonic rings I can do myself.

I’m from big ocean waves and palm trees,

Cyan Web and gated backyard.

From the good friend lost to the move

to the Minion covered piggy bank used to keep coins.

Under my bed was a empty space spilling my thoughts,

A chill spot of soft carpet

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments -

excited before I moved.

I am a leaf dangling from the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon