2025/Carlo -30941

I am from Tar Heels,

From Cardinals and Krispy Kreme Donuts.

I am from the ROK under The Mourning Calm.

It smelled like a smokey gray, like lit cigarettes.

I am from Old Blighty,

The royal family

Whose spires I remember

As if it were my own.

I am from Northern Lights and dog sledding,

From my Mama and my Papa.

I am from the shorter end.

And the forgotten middle,

From “ANAK KO!” and “HEY”

I am from basketball.

With a rim and net

And with ten shots I can make myself.

I’m from cooking and egg fried rice,

Ramen with egg on top.

From the best friend lost to the PCS

To the funny things used to keep me laughing.

Under my bed was a purple box spilling dandelions,

A bunch of memories

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments –

Worried about death before I learned about God

I am a leaf who’s hilarious attached to the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon