I am from a country breeze,

My Paw Paw’s yard with chestnut trees,

The horny heads in Franklin Creek,

The slang I use when I speak.

​

I am from a duck named Bloomers,

Who I sang to everyday.

I am from the tall pine tree

Behind my house that sways and sways.

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I am from my favorite place,

The woods that take my breath away.

The holes that trees would leave behind

Just for me to come and find.

​

I am from a hundred houses

Tucked away within those holes.

I am from the plastic bucket

Used to keep and capture moles.

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I am from “Well, I declare...”

And “Why is mud all in your hair?”

“Lauren, keep your knees together!”

And “You ain’t drivin’ in this kind of weather!”

​

I am from my Honda 50,

Riding ‘til my knuckles hurt,

Jumpin’ humps and poppin’ wheelies,

Spinning doughnuts in the dirt.

​

I am from a worn-out pew,

Communion cups and “I ‘preciate you.”

I am from John 3:16,

Psalms and Romans 10:13.

I am from Thessalonians 3 verse 10,

“In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

I am from a Saving Grace,

The One Who gladly took my place,

The Lord of Lords and King of Kings,

The One of whom my soul doeth sing.

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I am from my Paw Paw’s preachin’,

Not just his, but Daddy’s too.

I am from what they gave up

To spread the Word to me and you.

​

I am from “Do or Die,”

Devil Dogs and “Semper Fi.”

I am from red and white and blue,

A blood that runs with a patriot hue.

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I am from the cuts I got

From long, thin strands of Pampas grass.

I am from walking up the creek

And finding shards of broken glass.

I am from the sticky leaves

That poked my toes and made them bleed.

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I am from where I have been,

Here and there, now and then.

I am from my mother’s hands

That always seem to hold me up.

I am from my brother’s strength,

Keeping me from giving up.

I am from my grandmother’s prayers

That shield me from the world around.

​

I am from my biggest dreams

That got me here, where I am now.