1. WHERE I’M FROM
Christa Umphrey

2. I am from
bedtime
stories
and nightly
family
dinners

3. from wood-paneled walls
and green shag carpet

4. from Farina
and Reservation politics

5. from cheap bear around
Friday night campfires

6. and after-church,
roast beef dinners
on Sunday afternoons

7. I am from the thrill
of unexpected snow days

8. and canoe rides
under full moons.

9. I am from bare feet
in fresh-cut grass

10. and Dad’s gardens
all around.

11. I am from
long
afternoons
spent
floating
irrigation
canals
on stolen
inner tubes.

12. from spontaneous and
expected family gatherings,

13. from Thanksgiving weekend
Christmas tree-gathering trips
and Mom’s homemade cinnamon rolls
afterward.

14. I’m from stubborn independence
and laughing too loud.

15. I’m from Snyel’mn
this valley
surrounded by mountains

16. I’m from
descendants
of Mormon
pioneers
who choose
to come West

17. and the Salish
who were forced here from
the south

18. I’m from
dirt roads
and
potholes
and too
many
wakes.

19. I’m from
summers in
teepees
and old
trucks
that run
just well
enough
to drive teen
independence

20. I’m from frozen
pipes in February
and dreams of
air conditioning
in August.

21. I’m from making due
... and
dreaming
of more

22. from grandfathers who made
their livings among trees
and horses

23. from women who were always
mothers first
but never solely.

24. I am from...

33. I am From...

34. those
grandmother’s
quilts,
my grandfather’s logging truck,
and the woods where he spent his days.

35. I am from
!!!!

36. overstuffed
bookshelves
doing
too
much

37. and the calm ! ! ! ! ! !!!!
!
! ! ! ! productivity
! ! ! ! ! ! of midnight hours...