Where I'm From, Mrs McFarlane's 2nd Period

November 18, 2008 - 12:02am by M.Howard

In class you were asked to write about your own identity, based on George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From.”  Think about the themes we have addressed so far this year:  What is America, Who is an American, the Preamble. How does your own story fit into the American story?  

Think about where YOU are from.  This does not have to mean your ethnic identity or ancestor’s homeland, although it could deal with this. It could also be just what has helped to create the “YOU” that walked into US History this year.  

Please share your poem here by responding to this post.  If you have chosen towrite a song or create artwork, you may share by pasting the link to your song or photo here.  

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Comments

jcw wrote on November 20, 2008 - 10:56am:

http://www.pugetsoundoff.org/image/3097

Daniel wrote on November 20, 2008 - 10:52am:

I am from snowy days and small towns.
I am from long summer days and dark winter nights.
I am from roaring rivers where I fish.
I am from making marshmallows on big burning fires.
I am from the last frontier,
where few have been.

The Shimsham wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:27am:

I am strong but I am weak
I wonder if there shall ever be world peace
I hear the cries of my people
I see an everlasting war
I am strong but I am weak

I pretend I am a mountain
I touch the wonders of the world
I worry that everything will fall apart
I smell the smell of victory
I am strong but I am weak

I understand nothing will ever be the same
I say everyone deserves an equal chance
I dream it will all be over
I try to make a change
I hope my dream will be fulfilled
I am strong but I am weak

r_kuo wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:26am:

Where I’m From…

I am from a past filled with
Joy and happiness
Sorrow and contentment.
I am from many memories
That will stay with me forever
Or fade until forgotten.
I am from dreams and ambitions
I wish to reach,
My family’s values
Influencing my goals.
I am from strict parenting
Annoying siblings,
And loving grandparents.

ctugwell wrote on November 24, 2008 - 10:00pm:

This is a great poem.  Thanks for sharing.

sonia_17 wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:25am:

Where I'm From
I am from a place where people are afraid to go
The only word that people think about is “terrorist”
I look Arab
We have been fighting with India for so long for no reason
Religion is our guidance but people just misuse the name
People think that it’s a bad place because of the beard men and covered women’s
You want to speak out but you cant
Why?
People are struggling and scared to go school, get food, work, shop, and just live freely
My parents are grateful for coming here and starting a new life without any problems.
I just want to say that the people who have a hard time living; they have to do something serious situation that not only affects the country but the whole world.
They just use the name ISLAM to solve every situation in the world.
They just need guidance
I am from Pakistan, I am proud to be an American Muslim.

ctugwell wrote on November 24, 2008 - 10:01pm:

Great poem.  I appreciate you sharing a bit of you with us.

NicholasJay wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:25am:

Tribute
N.J.

I’m from an endless bloodline
From the beer chugin’ Germans and the Anti- Swed.
Norwegians.
From history made and history in the making
From sea to sea and coast to coast
From the Bible and the Pledge
From Freedom and Poverty
I am from Trial and Error
From Sustainability and Corruption
From Kings and Queens and Lords and Dictators
From Earth to Heaven
I am from Intuition and Procrastination and Expectation

Mello wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:25am:

I am from varied history,
Forgotten, convoluted, adopted, history;
polite as can be but not apologizing.
I am from many places,
the Plains, outside the Valley, Rain City;
nomads – scraping by, going where we can.
I am from broken relationships
and everyday drama.
I am in the New Generation:
pixels and plastic and HPV shots.
I am from both many places and nowhere,
nomads, scraping by, going where we can.

s.sharma wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:24am:

Where I’m From
I am from laughter bouncing off the walls.
From Honey Bunches of Oats in front of the TV.
From homemade strawberry jam.
I am from the two floor high, sunny yellow house in the middle of the street.
From blackberry bushes all along the fences,
I am from the forget-me-nots planted along the flowerbeds.
From the dirt used as mud pies every day after school.
I am from eating with everyone around the circular table.
From a home where there is more spice than food,
I am from the deep faith in Hinduism
I am from the streets of Seattle and over the seas in India.
From the funeral kept for rollie pollie bugs,
I am from a house with the fragrance of incense lingering everywhere.
From tears, love, and separation.
I am from a place full of memories that now all seem like a fading dream.
From a world full of billions of people and yet I stand alone.
I am from a life where despite all of the hardships, hope still renders in my heart and soul.

-Surabhi

ctugwell wrote on November 24, 2008 - 10:05pm:

This is a great poem.  I like the "Honey Bunches of Oats" and the "mud pies" lines.  You do a good job remembering the "little" things which is great.

salemt wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:24am:

Where I’m From

I am who I am
proud culture
proud father
Independence,
Fought for
Fresh breathe
Deserts scorching death
Camels galloping away
Rain invading
Family celebrating
Blood from my ancestors
Prayers from my grandfather
Parent’s country to sea
Fire deep down
I am who I am

Erik wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:24am:

I am from too many siblings
And too many family get together
Those never seem to get old
Or any less chaotic
I am from too many video games
And giant flat screen TV’s
In my house, we play board games together
And yell a lot
I love my family.

just_crystal91 wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:23am:

“Fear and Loathing.”

I’m from casinos and bright lights,
and a city that never sleeps.
I’m from all-nighters and sleeping in late.
I’m from “what happens here, stays here.”
I’m from cheap divorces,
And even cheaper marriages.
I’m from a city that is constantly changing,
Yet always remaining the same.
I’m from a city full of cities,
A City of Dreams.
If it weren’t for Vegas,
I would not be the person I am today.

just_crystal91 wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:23am:

“Fear and Loathing.”

I’m from casinos and bright lights,
and a city that never sleeps.
I’m from all-nighters and sleeping in late.
I’m from “what happens here, stays here.”
I’m from cheap divorces,
And even cheaper marriages.
I’m from a city that is constantly changing,
Yet always remaining the same.
I’m from a city full of cities,
A City of Dreams.
If it weren’t for Vegas,
I would not be the person I am today.

aaronpederson wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:23am:

I am from Seattle
I don’t have no influences
I make my own.
My parents tell me that I’m Irish, Norwegian, and German
But I know better
We’re all from where we call home, right?
The most important places and faces
Vashon New York and Seattle
Those are my influences
I’m an American
I grew up here
I live here
Home.
Anyone can knock on the golden door
That’s what we’re all based on, right?

tdeang wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:23am:

I am from... by T-DaWg

I am from the family of 5
With 2 sisters, a mother and a father.
Where we always have harsh words to say to each other,
But at the end, we are always together.

I am from the clan with a hundred members
Where our skin is brown like an average peanut
With countless names of several cousins,
Our tree has apples growing in dozens.

I am from the land of 7,000 islands
Where we enjoy the sea and oceans that surrounds us.
Our home is always in summer temperature
Where it never gets cold and the clouds are always pure.

I am from the Chinese, Scottish and Deutsch bloodline.
Where my ancestors originally descended from.
They moved to the Philippine archipelago,
And soon the land of the free is where my family will grow.

madison12 wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:23am:

I am From…

I am from whispering palm trees blinding bright sun marshmallow capped waves and footprints on sandy beaches.
I am from decorative fiberglass boards that skim across the ocean as peacefully as driftwood in Puget Sound
I am from laughter filled homes containing relatives celebrating customs
Stockings hung on the fireplace waiting for St. Nicholas to arrive eating enormous, round, flavorful pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream
Dying magnificent red eggs on Holy Thursday to represent the life and blood of Christ

I am from ancestors that immigrated to America to capture their dreams!

b.greathouse wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:22am:

I AM FROM.
The girl in the shadows
Hiding from the fight
She wipes the
Hot tears from her face
A scraped knee
Starts a huge argument
That no one will
Ever win
Is this where
She should be from?
She didn’t understand
Why she had to hold
Her mothers hand
While her father walked
Out of her life
Clothes that are too baggy
Must do
Because
The next paycheck
Isn’t coming
For another week
A living circus
That swallows the sane
And drowns the mind
A broken family
A birthday
No one will
Ever forget
A moving friend
And she stays
And waits
For them to return
One day
And remember
Their friendship.
Such emotions
Never cross her face
She keeps a smile planted
To hide the pain
I am from…
A hidden story.

That-One-Guy wrote on November 20, 2008 - 9:21am:

From

I am from a hospital
I am from Irish tales
And German ales
I am from Chinese folklore
Such as the dragon eating the moon
I am from soccer games
And pizza pies
I am from musical genes
Great grandpa played with John Philip Sousa’s band
My grandparents played instruments
My parents did too
And coming from all of this
It’s not surprising that I do too
I am from oldies hits
The Beatles, The Eagles
And other great hits
I am from cats and dogs
I am from a Stork
Isn’t that how babies are born?

BM wrote on November 20, 2008 - 1:29am:

I AM FROM POEM:
I am from a country in eastern Africa.
I am from a country of pride and dignity.
I am from a country of unique culture and beliefs.
I am from a country of 30 years of struggle.
I am from a country of loss and suffering
I am from a country of Independence
I am from Eritrea.

ams1992 wrote on November 19, 2008 - 10:06pm:

Here is my poem:

I AM FROM….

I am of two worlds,
Latinos and Anglos.
Two minds uniting shared identities.
Enjoying quinceñeras and sweet sixteen’s.
Refreshing evergreen smells and a houseful of spicy aromas.
Reflecting on my Grandpa’s Mexico and my Grandma’s old Texas.
Continuing the struggles and strength of the many women before me.

-Ariel

Nhari wrote on November 23, 2008 - 10:16pm:

I drew both a picture and a poem to go with it. Here is my poem: I am from a hidden past, Of raging darkness. I'm from hearts combined, and over powering nature. From secret words, and waves of blue. I am of forgotten dreams, of never ending hopes. From soft spoken words, and an angelic heart. I am from dancers of Ireland, and from landish clothing But no matter what I am from, I am still me. I am from everything.

 ( http://pugetsoundoff.org/image/3130 )