I Am From
I am from which the phoenix rises, scattered in the blowing winds
I am from backing the wrong horse in the land of the roaring lion and the original golden eagle
I am from a tradition of Celtic warriors and famine
I am from red man and white man
I am from cotton and asparagus fields
I am from poverty, hardworking, salt of the earth, pig squeals and pit-smoked BBQ
I am from sunrise services, homecomings, and summer revivals
I am from corning mills, discipline and endurance, and mother
I am from red dirt roads, small town, “Bless his heart!”, and “yall come back!”
I am from drinking from water hoses, sweet tea and moonshine
I am from staying outside from sun up to sun down, maypops and home-made forts
I am from “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him, we have the technology…”, “It’s Charlie, Angel. Time to go to work.” and “I am the Knight Industries Three Thousand.”
I am from big hair, rat tails, leg warmers, reeboks, fanny packs, Calvin Klein jeans, Ray Bans, and Members Only jackets
I am from Escape to Another Day in Paradise, Call Me from 9 to 5, Who Can It Be Now to You Give Love A Bad Name, Red Red Wine when Love Bites, and I’ll Be There For You until 1999
I am from dreams of no factories and first to higher education
I am making a difference and awakening young minds