I Am From
I am from TV
from Barbie and Disney
I am from the poorly painted yellow and brown house
cluttered and cramped
It never felt like a home
I am from the daisies,
the grass
dead and colorless
I'm from the big dinners and poor eyesight
from Deanna and Carlos and Raymond
I'm from the screaming arguments and never picking up after yourself
From "Shut up!" and "Don't cry, you're tougher than that."
I'm from the freedom of choosing your own beliefs but later being laughed at for what you've chosen
My parents anti-Christ, my brothers believers in God, and myself an admirer of the philosophy of life
I'm from California, our family tree long lost
hamburgers and chocolate filed desserts
From the beloved family role models burned and placed on the mantel
the forced smiles
Family photos thrown into the fire place and burned in order to escape the truth
I am from a constantly changing life that makes me feel ill