where I used to sit during the day
to watch the clouds,
and at night, to watch the stars.
I am from the words Shannon Hoon sang
in a Blind Melon song,
telling me,
"When life is hard, you have to change."
I am from those who think they know,
but don't.
I try and fail to see through their eyes,
and they refuse to see through mine.
I am from the glow of bonfires;
friendly people sitting around
sharing stories
about nothing in particular.
I am from a high school
that had a "Camo Day" for spirit week,
and a student population full of
Sunday church goers and Country music lovers.
I am from the abandoned Hot'N'Now,
which used to say on the front,
"100% Sizzling Angus Beef,"
but then david scraped the "G" off.
I am from the Flat River Trail,
which winds all the way around town.
And I could ride the whole thing
in fifteen minutes.
I am from the "Forest Home Cemetery;"
our "Chill-Out Spot,"
I know the winding roads and time-eroded headstones
like the back of my hand.
I am from my always-cold room in the basement,
where an Iron Maiden poster
and a bottle collection
suffices for decoration.
I am from the yellow house,
at a time in childhood
where the world could still be
anything you imagined.
I am from the smell of my grandpa's
fresh-cut lawn
and my grandma's
home-made dinner.
I am from the loving words of my mother,
who always loved the band Nirvana -"Forever in debt to her priceless advice."
Rest in Peace.
I am from a place I will never forget.
