In a powerful response to the division and negativity prevalent in today’s society, I, along with Julie Landsman—a writer, teacher, and activist based in Minneapolis—initiated the “I Am From Project.” This initiative, brought to life through our website (iamfromproject.com) and Facebook page, serves as a vibrant collection of art inspired by the profound theme of origin and identity. For deeper insights, you can listen to our interview on the National Writing Project radio here: https://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/4673. Our mission is to unite diverse voices from across the nation, creating an online archive and aiming for a physical presentation in Washington D.C. We warmly invite you to contribute your unique voice to this collective tapestry.
The Kentucky Arts Council successfully concluded my “Where I’m From” project, culminating in an impressive compilation of 731 poems from eighty-three counties. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at the Council, especially Tamara Coffey, for her dedication in making these poems accessible online. You can explore this website to discover an interactive map, where clicking on any county unveils poetic expressions from individuals of all ages.
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 read the poem.
Explore the book Where I’m From, Where Poems Come From for more.
Click here to experience an inventive video showcasing George Ella’s reading of “Where I’m From” on The United States of Poetry episode “The Land and the People.”
The genesis of “Where I’m From” lies in my response to a poem from Stories I Ain’t Told Nobody Yet (Orchard Books, 1989; Theater Communications Group, 1991) by my friend, Tennessee writer Jo Carson. Jo’s “People Pieces,” rooted in authentic voices and experiences, include piece number 22 which begins with the thought-provoking line, “I want to know when you get to be from a place.” Her speaker, embodying those “that doesn’t have roots like trees,” declares “I am from Interstate 40” and “I am from the work my father did.”
In the summer of 1993, curiosity led me to create my own “where-I’m-from” lists in a simple black and white composition book. These lists evolved and were refined into a poem—a departure from my usual creative process. Yet, even after the poem took shape, the allure of list-making persisted. The process was simply too enriching and enjoyable to abandon after just one poem. Recognizing this, I decided to introduce it as an exercise to other writers, and it resonated instantly. The list format is accessible and familiar, while the question of origin delves into profound depths of personal identity.
Since then, the poem, functioning as a powerful writing prompt, has journeyed in remarkable directions. Educators have embraced it across classrooms in the United States, Ecuador, and China. It has reached young women in juvenile detention, men serving life sentences in prison, and refugees in Sudanese camps. Its life beyond my personal notebook stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry, the significance of roots, and the dedication of educators. My sincere thanks to all who have embraced it and shared it forward. It is truly inspiring to read the poems you share, offering glimpses into so many young hearts.
However, I encourage you to see this as just the beginning. Beyond being a poem in its own right, “Where I’m From” can serve as a map, guiding you through numerous other writing explorations. Below are some avenues to consider:
Expanding “Where I’m From”: Creative Writing Prompts
While refining your “Where I’m From” list into a polished poem is a rewarding endeavor, consider it also as a gateway to further discovery and diverse forms of writing. The key is to embrace exploration and allow yourself to delve into these creative spaces. Resist the urge to prematurely define the type of writing you’ll pursue or to rush towards revision and completion. Let the act of writing itself be your primary goal. Cultivate the skill of allowing the writing to guide you—a valuable approach to impart to students, both in their own writing and as responsive readers. Examine these elements within your “Where I’m From” poem and observe where they might lead you:
-
A Place: A specific location can unfold into a piece of vivid descriptive writing or a poignant scene drawn from memory.
-
Parents’ Work: Reflections on your parents’ occupations can spark memories of accompanying them, assisting them, or perhaps simply being in their way. This could evolve into a remembered dialogue between your parents about their work, or even a poem composed of a litany of tools they used.
-
An Important Event: A significant event can trigger a cascade of freewriting, capturing all facets of that experience. Subsequently, this can be shaped into a scene, enriched with descriptive details and dialogue. It’s also conceivable that the descriptive elements could form the setting and stage directions, while the dialogue transforms into a play.
-
Food: Food-related memories can lead to a scene set at the dining table, a character study of the person who prepared the meal, a collection of diverse experiences associated with that food, or a process-oriented essay detailing how to prepare it.
-
Music: A piece of music can transport you to a scene where it was playing, offering an opportunity to intertwine song lyrics with your own internal monologue (thoughts and feelings from when the song first became meaningful to you—“Where I’m Singing From”).
-
Something Someone Said: A memorable quote can blossom into a scene or a poem that encapsulates that very moment. It might even give voice to unspoken replies—what you wished you had said in return.
-
A Significant Object: An object of importance can inspire a sensory exploration—its feel, sound, smell, appearance, and even taste. Trace its origins, its journey, and your personal connection to it. Are there hidden meanings or yearnings linked to this object? A message waiting to be unveiled? If you could revisit your younger self during the time this object held significance, what questions would you ask, what advice would you offer, or what gift would you bestow?
Remember, your lived experience makes you the ultimate expert on yourself. Your perspective is unique; no one else possesses your specific reservoir of material to draw upon. You don’t need a predetermined starting point. Simply begin. Allow the words to flow organically. Trust in the writing process to find its own intrinsic form.
“Where I’m From” in Action: Diverse Interpretations
Explore 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:
A Young Artist’s “Where I’m From” in Words and Image: In the Winter of 2008, Sage Hennequin Kuhens participated in the University of South Carolina Upstate’s “Write Here, Write Now: Sharing Slices of Life Through the Magic of Digital Storytelling,” a series of writing workshops sponsored by the Spartanburg Community Writing Center. At just eight years old, Sage, the youngest among approximately 50 students, was determined to be as self-reliant as possible. Her supportive instructor, Tasha Thomas, fostered this independence.
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 shared Dixie Castillo’s poignant “Where I’m From” poem on their blog. Read it here.
Here’s a poem inspired by “Where I’m From,” penned by an eighth-grade student as part of a study of The Killer Angels. The lesson plan is available here.
