Jaleigh-Osan Middle High School-Osan, South Korea

I am from the Big Dipper,

from forget-me-nots and Sitka spruce.

I am from the sparkling snow under the Aurora.

It smelled like glowing bonfires.

I am from bears and moose,

the rivers

whose infinite cataracts I remember

as if they were my own.

I am from honeybees and apple blossoms,

From Aircraft Maintenance and Stay-at-Home.

I am from the entertaining

and compassionate.

From” Walk the dog!” and” You better be good!”

I'm from the Rocky Mountain Elk

with a precipice

and ten rocks I can climb myself.

I'm from cherries and peaches,

kimchi and s'mores.

from the relatives lost to the PCS

to the puppy that used to keep me cheerful.

Under my bed was a package spilling directions I embraced,

a purple basket of change

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments -

of affection and friendship before I left.

I am a dandelion sealed to the family tree.