I am From

I am from the Freedom Land
of pilgrims and democracy
of cowboys and the last frontier
of Ellis Island, N.Y.C

I am from the Concrete Jungle
of 6.6 on Richter’s scale
of celluloid and silicon
of Riots, palm trees, rummage sales

I am from old South Carthay
of biking sidewalks warped by trees
of Pesach, walking, house-to-house
of swimming at the J.C.C.

I am from the Blue and White
of Abraham and Israel
of Bat Mitzvah and Brit Milah
of Torah, latkes, Shul, Hallel

I am from the house upstairs
of newspapers on bathroom floors
of Laura Ingalls Wilder books
of “Where’re my keys?!,” “No locks on doors!”

I am from the tiled kitchen
of whole wheat challah, Mrs. Dash
of ketchup, compost, Ovaltine
of onions grilled and garlic smashed

I am from my mum and dad
of Russian blood, Type A and O
of PhDs and Irish tunes
of parents, loving Doc and Jo