2025/Landon -

I am from the Land Shaped Like a Boot,

From ancient structures and exquisite cuisine.

I am from the crunchy leaves under the olive tree.

It smelled like fresh cut grass.

I am from the smallest city,

The flocks of chirping birds

Whose distinct sweet melody I remember

As if it were my own.

I am from a Teacher and a Sergeant,

From Laura and Jim.

I am from the T’au Empire

And the Failed Tramway,

From “Be quiet!” and “Clean up your mess!”

I am from the perfect blank pages

With a box of new pencils

And ten sketches I can do myself.

I am from pen and pencil,

Mistake and perfection.

From the puzzles lost to time,

To the friends that understood me.

Under my bed was a sketchbook spilling purple eraser shavings,

An endless plethora of drawings

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments-

The deafening silence before the storm,

I am a dandelion growing with the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon