WHERE I'M FROM  by Maria A. Maldonado

I'M FROM THE ALLURED-CHIRPING-TROPICAL-BIRDS,
THE FINED-SPRAYED SMELL OF MANGOES FROM MY COUNTRY ABROAD,
SHOOTING RAYS OF LIGHT TRESS PASSING THE "PERSIANAS" AT DAWN,
THRUSTING ME OUT OF BED IN COMFORTING LUST.

I'M FROM THE MINGLED CULTURE-  INDOOR-ENGLISH-AMERICAN-URBAN- ZONE,
MIGRATING BACK TO MY OUTDOOR- ENGLISH- RELUCTANT- LEARNING-GROUND  TUCKING ME HOME.
REJOICING IN AN EASTER PAMELA AND A CUTE-BELL-BOTTOMED-DRESS, THEN,
AND A WHITE-COMMUNION-GOWN, AFTER, RESCUING MY SOUL.

I'M FROM GISSELLE BLONDET- THE FORBIDDEN APPLE- SOAP OPERA- SHOW
AND "EL CHAVO DEL 8" AFTERNOON SITCOM
DEVOTED BY DELICIOUS PASSION FRUIT JUICE INCLUDING ITS SEEDS WHICH GREW
WILDLY OUTSIDE MY LIVING ROOM WALL.

I'M FROM THE KODAK INSTANT CAMERA SNAPPING OF MISTY EVENTS,
ONLY FLASHES OF FACES OF KIN
I'M NO LONGER IN TUNE OR ATTACHED IN ANY WAY,
I'M FROM THE TURKEYS, ROOSTERS, CHICKENS, CHICKS, DOVES...
FED BY MY GRANDMA WITH YELLOWISH-ORANGE CORN,
WHILE GRANDPA SCATTERED THE KITCHEN-ENTRANCE-DOOR
WITH DIRT PLANTED ONTO HIS WATER-BOOTS-SOLES,
AFTER CLIMBING THE HILLS TO WORK HIS SOIL.