Jane’s Turn
(And yes, she choked me up.)
Where I’m From
by Jane, age 11
I am from paper, from Prismacolor, and clay.
I am from the bonny glen.
Rolling, friendly, it sounds like mockingbirds.
I am from the chicory, the lavender smell.
I am from planning birthday menus
and blond hair and blue eyes,
from Rose and Beanie and Rilla, my sisters.
I am from after-dinner-sing-alongs
and mealtime-read-alouds.
From “Practice your piano”
and “For every problem there is a solution.”
I am from Catholicism,
my reflection in the mirror in my dress for church.
I’m from Manhattan, the Bronx and the deep South,
Daddy’s waffles and circle pizzas.
From the bunny bowling set,
Rose’s “Bunny won’t catch cabbage,”
from when Wonderboy signed “I love you”
through the glass at The Little Gym,
and the swimming lessons Daddy gives us.
I am from my bookshelf, the loom room,
Mom-and-Dad’s dresser,
on Mom-and-Dad’s bed, where I knocked Rose’s loose tooth out,
and all the wonderful nooks-and-crannies here.
Jennifer says:
What a talented daughter you have! It made me cry a little too!
On June 21, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Leslie in Springfield says:
I love how her ties to her family are highlighted and I love what she chooses to remember. It’s beautiful!
On June 21, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Cici says:
Wonderfully done, beautiful!
On June 22, 2006 at 8:02 am
Alice says:
This is stunningly beautiful. Jane is incredible!
On June 28, 2006 at 10:12 am
Jen says:
Oh, she got me too, Lissa. ::::sniff::::
On June 28, 2006 at 11:29 pm