Jennifer Taflin

"Where I'm From"

I am from linoleum floors
From baking soda and vinegar
I am from the grass in my backyard
(Damp, fresh, and the just mowed smell)
I am from the Rhododendron bushes
The evergreen trees
Supporting me as I climbed higher and higher

I’m from lefse and vino
From Olaf and Eleanor
I’m from the farmers
And the engineers
From apologize to your brother
And how can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat
I’m from He loves me this I know,
And bow your heads to pray with me

I’m from downtown Seattle, and everywhere in Europe
Lutfisk and beer bread
From the siblings who came through Elis Island
And a woman escaping an abusive relationship

Stacked in all the cabinets,
So many pictures
The many faces of my heritage,
But never any names.
I am from these people’s adventures,
Now I make my own,
Free from captivity; outside that small box