Where I'm From

Where I'm From
By Jodi Chyann Gilpatrick

I am from hairspray
From Chi and Hair Shaker Teasing Mist.

• ratting my hair to the sky,
• holding my curls in place,
• avoiding frizzy hair.

I am from the pool in the backyard of my home.

(Clear, cold, smelled like chlorine.)

• laying on a floatie for hours,
• jumping in, trying to splash my mom,
• listening to our "Summer" playlist.

I am from monkey grass,

hostas 

whose big green leaves covered every flowerbed.

• brightened every Spring,
• bringing mom a daily job after work,
• completing the walkway to our pool. 

I am from pool parties and tan skin

from Johnny and Tonya.

• having competitions of who can get the darkest,
• inviting all friends and family to swim,
• taking every look and action from my father.

I am from lake trips 

and the Sunday after Church flea market trips.

• hauling the pontoon,
• stopping at DJ's Diner before and after the lake,
• purchasing every cool lamp we came across.

From "Stop riding your four wheeler there" and "It's getting late!"

• getting stuck at lock 2,
• flying through dirt trails,
• staying out past curfew.

I'm from Missionary Baptist, 

the little, white, falling in church.

• singing Sunday specials, 
• traveling city to city for youth rallies,
• eating with the preacher after every service.

I'm from Batesville and Irish decent

Chinese food, and anything grilled.

• visiting China King weekly,
• inviting family over for cookouts,
• cooking moms steaks to a crisp before she'll eat it.

From the weekend lake trips

with my energetic parents,

the camping trips at Lake Charles. 

• jumping off the top of the boat onto a stick,
• picking pretty rocks at the park,
• swimming away from snakes.

In a closet was albums 

holding my photos,

books to remind

of important dates.

• capturing each moment, 
• logging every school event,
• keeping every elementary art project.

I am from those moments-- 

flashing back on the fun times--

making me become the person I am today.