WHERE I'M FROM

I am from April storms and sticky July summers

Early December ice storms and yellow Poplars in fall

I’m from Hilton Head breaks and hikes in the Smokies

And a Butterball carved by Papa every November

I live in a world of initials, “AAU”, “YBOA”

The only white player on my teams for 6 years

I’m from Honda minivans filled with AND1 and Nike,

Spalding and Gatorade, the smell of sweat in the air

I play sounds from a Selmer and the jazz of Steve Watson

Directing marchers on football fields every Autumn afternoon

I’m from bumper stickers proclaiming “I think, therefore I.B.”

Meaning evenings and weekends filled with formulas and books

I’ve from “Tee Are” First Baptist in a small southern town

I know where to find Malachi and Zechariah

I’m from Miyabi, Melting Pot and Waffle House,

(Though never all on the same day!)

My parents are doctors of chemistry, not medicine

The Periodic Table of the Elements serves as my placemat

And “Ginger” and “Jeminy” and “Jax” and “Little Pooh”

Often fight for a spot to sleep on my bed.