Once again, I’m participating in Red Writing Hood, a writing challenge from The Red Dress Club.
This week’s challenge came from this writing prompt. I admit I’m a bit nervous about sharing as this is right close to poetry and lets be frank: poetry isn’t my strong suit. I’m not terribly comfortable writing it but I did like the idea behind the prompt and thought it would be fun. It was!
So without further stalling:
“Where I’m From”
I am from candle light, from Top Ramen and Scrubbing Bubbles.
I am from warm brown carpets, pulsing music and boisterous children.
I am from the tomato plants and cucumbers; from hyacinth, tulips and the a great, big seven-masted Holly Tree.
I am from the camping trips and omelets on Sunday mornings, from stocky, freckled and stubborn, from Millers, MacFergussons and Kellys.
I am from the Saturday Night BBQ’s, movie marathons and family sleep-overs. From music and from creativity.
From “Goldfish would have been better” ,“A closed mouth catches no flies”, “I just want you to succeed” and from “You’re beautiful…but” and “They are your responsibility.”
I am from From “Blessed Among Women”, “Trust in the Lord” and “Shema Yisrael”. From lots of candles and food, dancing and a host of celebrations. From a place stuffed full of community and beauty, judgment and comfort.
I’m from Washington, Austria, Scotland and a place shrouded in shadows. From sizzling enchiladas, nachos piled high with jalepnos and lots of chilli topped with freshly chopped onions.
From the little girl who was adopted and enjoyed skiing, the one who loved horses and playing the piano. I am from the boy who grew up hunting and scouting, who joined the Navy and had many adventures. I am from just met to married two weeks later (and born 9mo after that!).
I am from the Cedar Chest, stuffed full of memories (a lock of hair, a bronzed pair of booties, a photo album, a piece of creamy lace). From sadness and joy, from heartache and resolve.
I am from the smell of summer breezes and lighter fluid and late-evening Calvin-Ball. I’m from Autumn games and fear of crossing the line. I can still hear the cicadas in the trees and feel my stomach quiver in anticipation.
I am from confusion and anger, from love and camaraderie. I am from a tapestry of emotion and conflict, from rights of passage and sister-girlfriends.
I am from secrets, both beautiful and grotesque.
This is where I’m from. This is who I was.
This is lovely! I love how this writing exercise captures such different details with each writer, and yet all of them give a fragmented-yet-somehow-whole picture of their history. Glad I found you!
Twitter: RCThoughtfulMom
says:
Thank you!
You did well with this challenge this week. I especially loved your cedar chest paragraph. How eloquent this post is.
You sure did a wonderful job, for someone who’s afraid to touch poetry! I especially loved this line: “I am from a tapestry of emotion and conflict, from rights of passage and sister-girlfriends.” So beautifully put. I loved it!
Twitter: RCThoughtfulMom
says:
Aw shucks, you guys are wonderful. Thank you!
Excellent piece!
Loved the cedar chest paragraph. You did a wonderful job with this!
Nice job! I love this:
From a place stuffed full of community and beauty, judgment and comfort.
So much of religion, for me, is full of that contradiction between judgment and comfort.
You did a great job! i enjoyed this part a lot “From the little girl who was adopted and enjoyed skiing, the one who loved horses and playing the piano. I am from the boy who grew up hunting and scouting, who joined the Navy and had many adventures. I am from just met to married two weeks later (and born 9mo after that!).” that’s my fav
Twitter: RCThoughtfulMom
says:
Wow, you all are so encouraging! I didn’t realize until after I’d published it that I’d used the phrase “stuffed full” twice in this piece. >_< Oops.
Thanks so much for your kind words!
is it weird that “I am from secrets, both beautiful and grotesque.” is my favorite phrase in all of this?? It just says so much in such a short line. Nice work!
Twitter: RCThoughtfulMom
says:
Kirsten, I don’t think it’s weird, lol. It’s my favorite, too.
Twitter: ITSMoments
says:
Of all of your lovely images, “creamy lace” will stick with me…I could see it and feel it in my hands.
You did such a great job with this prompt.