In a world often divided by fear and misunderstanding, the simple act of sharing our origins can be a powerful bridge. Inspired by this idea, writer, teacher, and activist Julie Landsman launched the “I Am From Project,” a creative initiative designed to foster connection and understanding. This project, born from a desire to counter negativity, invites individuals to explore and express their personal narratives through art, centered around the evocative theme of “Where I M From.”
You can delve deeper into the project’s origins and goals by listening to an insightful interview with Julie Landsman on the National Writing Project radio: https://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/4673. The project’s website (iamfromproject.com) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/iamfromproject/) serve as vibrant hubs, collecting and showcasing diverse artistic expressions from across the nation, all unified by the “where i m from” concept. The ultimate vision is to archive these voices online and present them in Washington D.C., amplifying the collective narrative of identity and belonging.
The “Where I’m From” concept also deeply resonated within the Kentucky arts community. The Kentucky Arts Council successfully concluded its “Where I’m From” project, amassing an impressive collection of 731 poems from 83 counties. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the Kentucky Arts Council and especially to Tamara Coffey, who diligently curated and published these poems online. Explore this rich collection and discover poetic voices from across Kentucky by visiting the website and interacting with the interactive map, where you can access poems from specific counties and poets of all ages.
The Original Poem: “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon
The heart of this movement lies in the poignant and universally relatable poem “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon. This poem serves as both the inspiration and the template for countless personal explorations of identity. Lyon’s work beautifully encapsulates the essence of personal history, weaving together tangible objects, family anecdotes, sensory memories, and geographical touchstones to define “where i m from.”
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’m 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 a 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.
Listen to George Ella Lyon read her poem: audio/where.mp3
Explore George Ella Lyon’s book: Where I’m From, Where Poems Come From
Watch George Ella Lyon perform “Where I’m From” on The United States of Poetry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdnHl_yW1dQ%20
The Genesis of “Where I’m From”: Inspiration and Evolution
George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From” poem wasn’t created in isolation. It was sparked by a poem from Stories I Ain’t Told Nobody Yet (Orchard Books, 1989; Theater Communications Group, 1991) by Tennessee writer Jo Carson. Carson’s “People Pieces,” based on authentic voices and experiences, included piece number 22, which begins with the poignant question, “I want to know when you get to be from a place.” This line and the exploration of rootlessness in Carson’s poem, where the speaker declares “I am from Interstate 40” and “I am from the work my father did,” deeply resonated with Lyon.
In the summer of 1993, Lyon embarked on her own “where-I’m-from” exploration, filling pages of a black and white speckled composition book with lists. These lists evolved and were refined into the poem we know today. However, the process of list-making proved so enriching and enjoyable that Lyon continued beyond a single poem. This realization led her to share the exercise with other writers, and it immediately resonated. The list format’s simplicity and familiarity, coupled with the profound question of origin, unlocked a powerful avenue for self-expression.
Since its inception, the “Where I’m From” poem has traveled far beyond Lyon’s notebook, becoming a global writing prompt. It has been embraced in diverse settings – from family reunions to classrooms across the United States, and even internationally in Ecuador and China. It has reached marginalized communities, empowering girls in juvenile detention, men in prison, and refugees in Sudanese camps to articulate their identities. This widespread adoption testifies to the inherent power of poetry, the universal human need for connection to roots, and the transformative role of educators. Lyon expresses deep gratitude to all who have embraced and shared the poem, finding immense joy in reading the poems inspired by it and gaining insight into “that many young souls.”
Expanding “Where I’m From”: Creative Writing Prompts
“Where I’m From” is not merely a poem; it’s a springboard for deeper creative exploration. Lyon encourages writers to see it as “a corridor of doors opening onto further knowledge and other kinds of writing.” The key, she emphasizes, is to embrace exploration and allow the writing process to lead. Rather than rushing to a finished piece, writers should focus on the journey of discovery. This approach is invaluable for educators guiding students in both their own writing and their engagement as readers.
Lyon suggests examining specific elements within a “Where I’m From” poem to unlock further writing possibilities:
- A Place: Can become a descriptive piece or a scene from memory, rich with sensory details and evocative language.
- Parents’ Work: Can trigger memories of accompanying or assisting parents, leading to narratives, dialogues between parents about their work, or even poems cataloging the tools they used.
- An Important Event: Can be expanded into freewriting, capturing memories and emotions. This can then be shaped into a scene with dialogue and description, or even evolve into a play.
- Food: Can inspire scenes at the dining table, character sketches of those who prepared the food, lists of food-related experiences, or process essays detailing how to prepare a specific dish.
- Music: Can transport writers to scenes where music played a significant role, interweaving song lyrics with personal thoughts and feelings from that time (“Where I’m Singing From”).
- Something Someone Said: Can be the catalyst for scenes or poems capturing a specific moment, exploring unspoken responses or lingering emotions.
- A Significant Object: Can become a sensory exploration, detailing its feel, sound, smell, appearance, and taste. Writers can delve into the object’s history, their connection to it, and any associated secrets or longings. They can even imagine returning to their younger selves when the object held importance, considering what questions to ask, what to say, or what to offer.
Lyon concludes with an empowering message: “Remember, you are the expert on you. No one else sees the world as you do; no one else has your material to draw on. You don’t have to know where to begin. Just start. Let it flow. Trust the work to find its own form.”
“Where I’m From” in Action: Diverse Interpretations
Watch a visual poem inspired by George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From,” created by Julia Daniel for Tamalpais High School’s Academy of Integrated Humanities and New Media (AIM), Fall 2010:
[Visual Poem Link] (Link to visual poem if available, or description if link not provided in original text)
A Young Artist’s “Where I’m From” in Words and Image:
The poem’s accessibility and power are further demonstrated by Sage Hennequin Kuhens, an eight-year-old participant in the University of South Carolina Upstate’s “Write Here, Write Now: Sharing Slices of Life Through the Magic of Digital Storytelling” workshop. Sage’s poem, created in 2008, showcases the prompt’s ability to resonate across age groups and inspire unique personal expressions.
I’m from big blue herons to small river otters,
I’m from big Metasequioas to tall stalks of bamboo,
I’m from cousins that were unknown to the closest of friends,
I’m from my mom and dad to my lab-beagle dog, albino rats, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches,
I’m from roaring water falls to silent flowing streams,
I’m from terrifying Zombie walks and Scarowinds to a gentle princess-loving godsister and godbrother
I’m from pepperoni pizza to microwaved meatballs,
I’m from my inspiration station drawing and writing to a homemade book,
I’m from my old dog Chani to red-shouldered hawks,
I’m from Jack the magic clown to my weird parents,
I’m from a tiny baby to an educated sister showing baby MinMin what school’s like,
I’m from bold looking deer to relaxing foxes,
I’m from making a fire in the county to ridin’ in a cotton combine,
I’m from a fan of Alexa Vega and Miley Cyrus to a spy lovin’ tween (me),
I’m from playing with cockroaches with a friend to Joe and I together,
I’m from my heritages to Mom’s mystery heritages,
I have an opinion that none can change…life is great!-Sage Hennequin Kuhens 1-29-08
The Hale Pono Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii also embraced the “Where I’m From” prompt, with Dixie Castillo’s poem featured on their blog: Read it here.
Furthermore, an eighth-grade student’s poem inspired by “Where I’m From,” written as part of a study of The Killer Angels, demonstrates its versatility in academic settings: Here’s a poem. The accompanying lesson plan is also available: lesson plan is here.
These diverse examples underscore the enduring appeal and adaptability of the “Where I’m From” poem and project. It serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery, creative expression, and fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
