Where I'm From...

A Free Verse Poem

I'm from the valentine rose bush
From the thorny stem and delicate petals.
I'm from the aging brick
         and the crawling ivy near my window.
I'm from the angry green train
         that carries away black mountains.
From the poison in my sight.

I'm from the lies and the heartbreak
From the pain put upon others.
I'm from the mistrust
         that will never wholly be solid again.
From the fear of the wannabe ballerina
         hiding in the closet because
         Daddy can't chase away all the monsters.
I'm from the mood swings
         to the beautiful smiles to the hidden tears.
From the good to the bad
         then back again.

I'm from a family of brothers
         I'll never truly know,
Grasped by both Heaven and Hell.
I'm from a father
         who's always gone
         but never leaving.
I'm from a mother
         who works way too hard
         for way too little
From the illness of beloveds.

I'm from these moments.
I'm from these emotions,
         forever rustling in the wind
         never truly changing.