Where I am From

I am from scattered I love you's and sometimes hugs

            To frequent cursing and steady neglect

To the occasionally thrown salt shaker aimed at my head

I am from a scruffy man who smells like whiskey and drugs

Where “twit’ and “brat” are his least offenses,

            leaving boo-boo's and ouch's on a too-young heart.

                  

I am from the mother’s adage:

      Always buy quality; never settle for less; you don’t need a man;

                         I’ll give you a reason to cry

I am from no ma’am, yes ma’am,

I’ll never do that, I’ll always do this,

            Yes ma’am, yes ma’am, yes ma’am

I am from bullies and teasing and make-good threats

          To empty swings, lonely lunches, and night-time sobs.

                     To the inheritance of silent screams from another splintered mind.

I am from sharpened razors, the uncle's whiskey, and swallow-me pills,

               From trying desperately to forget

                         To no longer being able to remember

I am from self-deprecating thoughts and hope run dry

             To hearing voices tunneling through the echoes of my mind.

                         To a steady stream of you'll never be close to good enough

I am from failures and mistakes and what was I thinking

            To I'll try again just in case

                           To listening to the one who is slowly teaching me

                                     I am so much more than where I am from.