I'm From Fearlessness

I’m from the run-down backyard,
Crabgrass, weeds, and beets.
From the apartment complex, digging up squirming worms,
Meshanticut Lake, fishing with daddy.
I’m from the fenced off backyard, the manicured lawn.
The timeless oaks, shedding leaves,
Hibernating the grass come fall.
I’m from school playgrounds,
“Don’t step on the sand, it’s lava!”

I’m from poverty, and the American Dream,
From a false democracy creating slaves.
I’m from a plane that crossed the Atlantic,
From Logan Airport,
A sleepy St. Patrick’s Day night.
I’m from “What are they saying?”
From a melting pot of two cultures;
Selling everything for three tickets, and a leap of faith,
“Let us give thanks.”

I’m from “Hey, do you want to be friends?”
Barbie dolls, and American Girls.
I’m from UNO, Chinese checkers, Foosball, and ping pong,
From “Why can’t you just let me win?!”
I’m from dinner for breakfast,
And breakfast for dinner.
I’m from, “Can you help me with this math problem?”
From, “Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey!”

I am from those moments,
A sapling. The rain pours heavy on its young leaves,
The wind forces it to bend low, the sun causes it to yellow and shrivel.
But it refuses to succumb. It grows on.