Where I’m From

I am from shag carpet, from Kleenex and tobacco leaves.

I am from the sleepy after-dinner pipe smoke.

I am from the hidden briar patch, the rich scent of evergreen.

I am from Rook tournaments and southern baritone, from Eulomay and Sproles and Lee.

I am from the loud, honest laugh and the soft tongue of an open mind.

From “remember they want to get free” and “if he hits you hit him back.”

I am from Auld Lang Syne and Will The Circle Be Unbroken with a thirty-person church and a twenty-person choir.

I’m from mourning mountain fog and Cherokee fiddle, dark gravy and chocolate cake.

From the waterfalls and caverns of the Appalachian mountains.