Prompting Yourself to Write 5: Where I'm From

George Ella Lyon is an author with roots in Appalachia and many children's books, not to mention writing Exercise books, to her credit. Her poem, Where I'm From, begins in this way:

I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride. I am from the dirt under the black porch. (Black, glistening it tasted like beets.)

We are all from a place that is more than just a series of images on Google Maps. Every event in our lives that we can remember has shaped who we have become. Nobody is from Clothspins, but can't you see the shape and feel the texture of those in the laundry room at the author's house as a little girl?

Read Where I From, all of the poem is here.

Here is MY version:

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from a St. Patrick's Day Card bought a couple of weeks early, from Specialized, and pedaling.

I am from the stairs up to the 2nd floor (smelling of my Mothers' perfume, and my Fathers' hard day working outdoors).

I am from the roses, the ivy I remember surrounding my 3rd home, and allowing me to feel secluded in an open space.

I am from immigration, and humor, from the psychological traits of Gorge Kundurdziev and Mary Alice Wells, and from twice married John Hesson.

I am from baldness in later life, and the travellers.

From the story my Father shared of his exploits in World War 2 (1 version my Mother told me, and 1 that I later learned Dad told to the IRO), and a lemon pie.

I am from Greek Orthodox, and lapsed Catholic. From experiences with organized religion that make me wonder why some people don't believe in scientific fact.

I'm from the Pomona Valley, Kentucky, and Macedonia, baklava and homemade gravy.

From the mysterious evening, roadside, death of William Jennings Wells near Rudy's Farm in Owensboro, and the 1 or, maybe 2, of 5 men married by Mary Hesson, and the advice Grandma Iva gave about sex ("don't you let him ride you like a horse! Once is enough for any man!") .

I am from envelopes full of 87 years of family photos, from birth, marriage, and death certificates, and Immigration Files, a priceless record stored in a box in my studio apartment.

Intrigued?

How about writing your own?

I first learned of this exercise in 2003 and am following in the footsteps of the Blogger I learned about it from by helping other budding writers (and genealogists, too!) discover it for themselves.

You might be surprised what you learn about yourself -- your personality, your family history and traits, and those places you grew up in -- as you create your own version of this tale.

I think it would be wonderful to read this personalized poem as written by others in the Blogosphere.

Are you looking for new ways to bond with your spouse? You could each one, from your own unique perspective. Think of what you might learn about each other that you didn't know before! ;-D

Well, here is the format to follow...

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from a St. Patrick's Day Card bought a couple of weeks early, from Specialized, and pedaling.

I am from the stairs up to the 2nd floor (smelling of my Mothers' perfume, and my Fathers' hard day working outdoors).

I am from the roses, the ivy I remember surrounding my 3rd home, and allowing me to feel secluded in an open space.

I am from immigration, and humor, from the psychological traits of Gorge Kundurdziev and Mary Alice Wells, and from twice married John Hesson.

I am from baldness in later life, and the travellers.

From the story my Father shared of his exploits in World War 2 (1 version my Mother told me, and 1 that I later learned Dad told to the IRO), and a lemon pie.

I am from Greek Orthodox, and lapsed Catholic. From experiences with organized religion that make me wonder why some people don't believe in scientific fact.

I'm from the Pomona Valley, Kentucky, and Macedonia, baklava and homemade gravy.

From the mysterious evening, roadside, death of William Jennings Wells near Rudy's Farm in Owensboro, and the 1 or, maybe 2, of 5 men married by Mary Hesson, and the advice Grandma Iva gave about sex ("don't you let him ride you like a horse! Once is enough for any man!") .

I am from envelopes full of 87 years of family photos, from birth, marriage, and death certificates, and Immigration Files, a priceless record stored in a box in my studio apartment.

If you are a Blogger and try your hand link to this post with Trackbacks, or post links to yours that you've posted at your websites in my comments.

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.

I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail)

I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).

I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).

From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).

I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).

From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).

I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

****UPDATE 1/4/08****

I've joind the Trackback Party over at Stop the ACLU  as a way to get peoples creative juices flowing, not to mention their interest in genealogy. ;-D

****END UPDATE****