Where I'm From

From hope and tomorrow
from pain and from joy
that’s where I’m from

From backyard barbecues
watermelon bowls, juicy and sweet
that’s where I’m from

I am from the home I knew
and the homes inside my heart

From my family, brothers, sisters
arguing, fighting, and loving
that’s where I’m from

Nighttime games of hide n seek,
walking to Maio’s Market
that’s where I‘m from

I am from yesterdays so long ago
from today, right now, el presente

From my heart and my soul
from those who’ve loved me
that’s where I am from

From you and from me
from all that I have met,
that’s where I’m from

I am from secrets kept from me
from shame and from hiding

From tears and from laughter
from all of those momentos
that’s where I’m from

From nevers and forevers
from here, from there,
that’s where I’m from

I am from rejection that crumbled me
from the acceptance that picked me up

That’s where I’m from

Comments: 9

LittleMissSunshine - Shel & Barney Rule L. Nov 23, 2006, 2:57pm EST

I love all these Where I am from poems

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Barbra L. Nov 23, 2006, 3:14pm EST

I like this inside look! Your bringing forth of painful realities with overtones of how you've persevered are excellent! Very inspiring!

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Corina Carrasco Nov 23, 2006, 3:56pm EST

Shelley, I think they are pretty interesting, too. I think if Gather were smart, they would look at featuring some of these as a package. They tell a lot about each of us Gatherites.

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Corina Carrasco Nov 23, 2006, 3:56pm EST

Barbara, thank you for your comments; they inspire me! I'm glad you could see what I was trying to do with this.

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David Rochester Nov 23, 2006, 5:16pm EST

I like the juxtaposition of innocent past with hard realities. (I didn't think this was pessimistic at all, btw.)

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Corina Carrasco Nov 23, 2006, 5:35pm EST

Thank you, David. This is the one I did for a memoir class a couple of years ago. I just dug it out and changed a couple of lines.

I was the only one in the class that did not paint a 100% rosie picture, btw.

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David Rochester Nov 23, 2006, 5:59pm EST

In that case, you were the only one in the class who wasn't delusional :-)

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vijay kumar Nov 24, 2006, 9:45am EST

'I am from the home I knew and the homes inside my heart.' I love these lines. The ending is also captivating. Nice work, Corina.

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Corina Carrasco Nov 24, 2006, 3:15pm EST

Thank you, Vijay. Although I wrote this some time ago, I think it still holds true. I am still from all of these places, although I have changed a lot and experienced much since this was written.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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Where I'm From

Comments: 9

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