Where I'm From_Christabel

WHERE I’M FROM

Christa Umphrey

I am from
bedtime
stories
and nightly
family
dinners

from wood-paneled walls
and green shag carpet

from Farina

and Reservation politics

from cheap bear around
Friday night campfires

and after-church,
roast beef dinners

on Sunday afternoons

I am from the thrill
of unexpected snow days

and canoe rides

under full moons.

I am from bare feet
in fresh-cut grass

and Dad’s gardens
all around.

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

from spontaneous and
expected family gatherings,

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

I’m from stubborn independence
and laughing too loud.

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

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

and the Salish
who were forced here from
the south

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

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

I’m from frozen
pipes in February

and dreams of
air conditioning
in August.

I’m from making due

... and
dreaming
of more

from grandfathers who made
their livings among trees

and horses

from women who were always
mothers first

but never solely.

those
grandmother’s
quilts,

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

overstuffed
bookshelves

doing
too
much

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

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