I'm From Tennessee

I'm From Tennessee

I am from boxes with old memories filled to the rim,

Dusty and unopened.

From  Crayola and chalk

colorful sidewalks and hopscotch.

I am from the small brick house at the end of the road.

I am from towering pine trees with words carved in.

From ripe tomatoes and cucumbers from Nancy's garden.

Willows and oaks and blowing on dandelions,

My dad tells me to stop but I keep on.

I am from late thanksgiving dinners.

From Arroz con Gandules and Flan slightly burned.

I'm from Coral and Emmanuel,

From don't touch my things and don't make a mess.

I am from running after school buses,

from Polly Pockets and Play Doh.

I am from Kathy and from Nancy and Tom.

From barbecues and pools and karaoke.

I am from always fashionably late or an hour early.

From us waking up too late for church, but

Praying every night.

I am from not going outside when it's dark,

from Tom and Jerry is too violent.

And still to young for a PG-13 movie.

Lectures of Stranger Danger heard every day.

Rules fill the household.

From the mountain biking with my dad

Fireworks near the lake.

Climbing rocks and motocross.

From teaching my brother all this.

 To lay back and enjoy the view.

Teaching him to hold on and keep climbing

And never stop.

I am from the wall that borders the staircase,

filled with pictures and memories.

Vacations, family portraits.

I am from the frames above the bookshelves,

School photos.

I am from the Rivera family tree.

I am on one branch.

I am only one leaf.

But I come from and share the same trunk.