Where I'm From

Where I’m From

I’m from Rosarita refried beans,
White Mission tortillas,
Louisiana Hot Sauce,
And cheddar cheese
Rolled together, on a Brawny paper towel,
Put in the microwave for about a minute.

I’m from prickly pears, dirt,
Palo verde trees, road runners, clouds.
I’m from swamp coolers, bricks,
Windows, doors, walls,
And the rock I thought was a dinosaur tooth.

I’m from Street Fighter II, Mario Kart,
Super Metroid, Super Mario All-Stars,
Gradius III, the Uncanny X-men and
D.P.7. (Displaced Paranormals Seven)

I am from the Indian painting
Always on my bedroom wall,
An original oil- a chief in full headdress.
Turquoise, face-paint,
lips parted, chin upward,
a warrior singing.

I am from the church down the street,
And the park next to the church,
And the elementary school and the
middle school and the high school
just a bus ride away.

I am from Uncle Terry,
The hunter and potter and cherry harvester
Who worked in the steel mill 38 years.