WHERE I’M FROM

I am from climbing trees and bending spoons,
From flying clotheslines and mercurochrome.
I am from Charlie’s Angels, Walter Cronkite and M.A.S.H before reruns.
I am from giant leaps for mankind,
From Beatles, Rolling Stones, Santana and Led Zeppelin.
I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.
I’m from I got you babe and goodnight John Boy.
I am from Raggedy Ann and Topogigio.

I’m from orange double doors, Abbey Road, Las Colinas and Ave. des Arpillieres.
I’m from hola, bonjour, and hello.
From qué onda and what’s up,
From ustedes and youse guys.
I am from Philadelphia and Monterrey,
From Alps, Rockies and Chipinque,
And I’m from Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean and Caribbean waters.
I am from French doors leading into the garden from Charlie
into an unknown future.

I’m from waffles on Christmas morning
and grilled salmon on Easter.
I’m from tacos, picadillo and guacamole
and I’m from cheese steaks and hamburgers.
From tú y nada son dos nadas
to get the thing by the thing on top of the thing.
I carry coins for my bindings and wave banderitas.
I’m from Charcole, from Beauty, Bella, and Bonnie,
From Panda, Sugar and Maggie.
I’m from rolls and coffee and midnight homework.
I’m from secret hand signs and bathtub scorpions.
And I’m all about Jack and Lily.

I have pictures in boxes and old home movies
of silver Christmas trees and Los Pilletes.
And I have mirrors that reflect the truth
About lost love and new found peace.

I am from a mix of two cultures, passionately collided.
From strawberry blondes and morenas
And I’ll always wish my skin was that beautiful brown café con leche.
I am St John de Villarreal. I am me.