2025/Lukas -

I am from the silver mines,

From gambling and glittering gold.

I am from the blazing heat under the shining sun.

It tasted like ripe red apples.

I am from the Hoover Dam,

The glittering battle-born fame

Whose bright shimmering lights I remember

As if it were my own.

I am from kimchi and hanbok,

From Jessica and Chris.

I am from the funny

And the Intelligent,

From “Be quiet!” and “Go to sleep!”

I am from the soft strumming

With a brown guitar

And ten notes I can do myself.

I’m from quails and bears,

Dandelions and planes.

From the friends lost to the PCS

To the open books used to keep me happy.

Under my bed was a purple box spilling happy memories,

A bright light of glistening hope

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments-

Lost before I left

I am a leaf growing from the family tree.

-Inspired by George Ella Lyon