Where I’m From… "If you don't know where you're from, you'll have a hard time saying where you're going." --- Wendell Berry   Wendell Berry, among others, has voiced this idea that we need to understand our roots to know our place in the world. A poem by George Ella Lyon is called "Where I’m From." The poem lends itself to imitation and makes a wonderful exercise of exploration in belonging.

“Where I’m From” By George Ella Lyon I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride. I am from the dirt under the back porch. (Black, glistening it tasted like beets.) I am from the forsythia bush, the Dutch elm whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own. I am from fudge and eyeglasses, from Imogene and Alafair.   I'm from the know-it -alls and the pass -it -ons, from perk up and pipe down. I'm from He restoreth my soul with cottonball lamb and ten verses I can say myself. I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch, fried corn and strong coffee. From the finger my grandfather lost to the auger the eye my father shut to keep his sight. Under my bed was a dress box spilling old pictures. a sift of lost faces to drift beneath my dreams. I am from those moments -- snapped before I budded -- leaf-fall from the family tree.

“Where I’m From” By Kristi Stuckey I am from cheesecake, from Chef Boyardee and Chuck Taylors I am from the Heartland, the Crossroads of America (flat, friendly it sounded like a Mellencamp song) I am from the peony, the dogwood tree blooming pink and fragrant in the front yard. I am from middle of the night meals at the diner and home-made doughnuts, From Vernon and Susan and Barbara   I am from loud talkers and upper body strength, from be all that you can be and pick your battles I’m from the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, imaginary friends from my childhood I’m from the Swiss Kitchen, thumb print cookies and frosting flowers on fingers. From my grandfather Jake who’s only English words were “hot beef sandwich”, from the I can’t afford my children, so I give them away. I am from all of those things – someone else’s dream, someone else’s nightmare – kneading and stretching my story with every tough punch.

Pre-Writing Step 1: Answer the following questions in your writer’s notebook. This will prepare you to write your “Where I’m From” poem.   1. Describe where you live. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What does it feel like? (This could be your actual house, or it could be another place that represents where you are from.) 2. What objects or belongings can be found in your home or room? (List at least three.) 3. What are the names of people in your “family” (they could be alive or deceased; they do not need to be blood relations)? Who have been the biggest champions? The biggest failures? 4. List two or three family traditions. They can be big or small (frozen pizza Friday). 5. What phrases, words or sayings are important to you or to members of your family? What voices echo in your head? 6. What are some beliefs that represent where you are from? Religion? Spirituality? Superstitions? Politics? 7. What foods are important to you or your family? 8. List 3 important childhood memories. 9. Describe the weather where you are from. 10..What do people do where you are from? 11. What are your favorite things to do?

You have a template on the back of your pre-writing questions You have a template on the back of your pre-writing questions. Think of this template as the bones of your poem; now you just need to fill in the muscle, skin, etc. Fill in the actual template. Be thoughtful. Choose “just-right” words. Read it aloud to see how it sounds. Now draft the template into your Writer’s Notebook.

Reflecting on Their Poetry: Editing and Revising Work with a partner. Share your poem with another by reading it aloud. Next, take the draft of your partner’s poem and read it again. As you read you should do the following: Highlight any misspelled words Underline images or words they like, alliteration, or assonance Write a sentence (or more) at the bottom about what they learned about their partner from reading his/her poem Now get your poem back for reflections and revisions You will see ways that they were able to tell about themselves You will see what needs fixing in your poem Students work on revising their poem and writing a clean copy in their Writer’s Notebook. If you finish early, illustrate your poem.