This is the poem that I wrote that was chosen to represent my school in the country writing fair. I wrote it for class last semester, so it’s not my favorite, but I’m still proud.

I am from expired passports

From the mediocrity of airline food

Being  brought home Kinder Eggs

Finding yellowing pictures from a past travel

I am from nowhere (specifically)

I am from everywhere (in general)

 

I am from a religiously browsed bookshelf

Stealing thirteen from my father

A growing stack beside my bed

Too many books I have not read

 

I am from late nights

Alone and in my room

Reading Charles Bukowski

Feeling comfortably cynical

 

I am from underlined inspiration

Something Vonnegut said

Thinking to myself

About a great title for a future poem

 

I am from free thinking

From the abhorrence of the shallow

The mechanical sheep

Spewing words of saints and shepherds

 

I am from not saying legit

From thinking nearly everyone’s an idiot

Discomfort at a high school party

And the choke of the Bible Belt

 

I am from quoting The Simpsons

From reading Calvin and Hobbes

An explanation of scenes in unnecessary detail

To those who really do not care

 

I am from a subculture no one knows

From singing along with a starving band

The oven hot basement show

Friends spanning a country sharing songs

 

I am from stage dives and sweaty clothes

Driving three hours to see Algernon Cadwallader

Eating Steak ‘n Shake because it’s the only place we can

Jumping pool fences during summer’s 4 AM

 

I am from a collection of records

The warm crackle of the needle kissing the vinyl

Waiting on my living room couch

To hear Mike Kinsella sing to me

I am from wanting to know more

From books that say my favorite words

My poems cluttering my drawer and my head

There is too much in this world unexplored

 

I am from the insides out of every hidden inch

I am from best friends, late nights, and long drives

I am from the discovery of the perfect words

I am from my parents’ home, the only place I really know

 

I am from not really knowing

Or caring

But drifting

Or just going through the motions

Because either life is pretty damn okay

Or my pessimism has not killed me yet