Found Poem

Rejections

Important enough to take you through all the rough jobs.

God, in the dark of failure, in the pit of it, to get that…

…that bit of silliness that says writing is a lonely profession.

Something never achieved, something dreamed for, longed for, lusted for and never, never there.

Acceptance.

One day it comes.

Your life, your work, your hopes and thoughts and songs and breath…

Can you imagine?

It didn’t matter if I died right then

Where I'm From

Where I’m From

I am from the smell of a home cooked meal when I enter the house,

the laugh of my brother as we run from the dishes.

the holler from my mom as we hit the couch. 

The laugh of my dad as we clean the pots and pans.

I am from the smell of fresh cut grass as I play football.

The cheers of joy as we take the field,

The moisture of the sweat dripping down my face,

The sounds of excitement as we win the game.

I am from the smell of the morning dew as I climb my tree stand,

The grunt of a deer as it moves slowly past me,

The hoot of an owl as it lands next to me,

The scattering of a squirrel as it digs below me.

I am from the smell of wax melting in church,

The joyful music as the choir sings,

The grace of the priest as he preaches the good word,

The reverence of my father as he prays for all.

I am from the smell of hard work as I dig another hole,

The sound of a mower as I cut more grass

The clanking of silverware as I set the table,

The swishing of plastic as I sack the groceries. 

I am from parents who love me,

A brother who cares for me,

A sister who inspires me,

And a brother who looks after me.

This is where I am from,

without these I would not be me.