I Am From | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. I Am From

I Am From MAG

July 29, 2008
By WriterDancerLover GOLD, Fontana, California
More by this author
WriterDancerLover GOLD, Fontana, California
15 articles 1 photo 25 comments
View profile

I am from
My green blankey and
Climbing out of my crib
From playing mermaid in the bathtub.

I am from walking my dog,
And the noise he made when I step on his tail.

I am from my sheep nightlight
And Blue’s Clues and the Berenstain Bears.
I am from spinning until
I can’t tell where I am and
Seeing the world upside-down.

I am from long days at school
And hurrying home to watch Pokémon.
From chocolate-chip cookies at
Grandma’s house.

I am from July days in the pool
And running through the sprinklers.
From my imaginary friends and
The games we used to play like
Doctor and patient and teacher and student.

I am from trips to the grocery store
And that time I fell out of the cart onto the
Sticky linoleum floor.

I am from the tap tap tap
Of my tap shoes that one week
That I decided to be a dancer.
I am from trying new things.

I am from rainy days
And board games,
Saturday cartoons and Cheerios.

I am from walks on the beach
And the sand on my feet,
And not wanting to go home after vacation.

I am from Barbies and Polly Pockets
From playing with my sister,
The other half of me.

I am from books and flashlights
And pens and paper.
From silence to screaming.

I am from tears on my pillow
And unanswered cries.
From holding your hand
And that look in your eyes.

I am from past and present
And dreams of the future.
I am from hard work and
Harder play.
And I am from writing down my thoughts
On a midsummer’s day.

© Philip J., Diamond Bar, CA

The author's comments:
Recently I was thinking a lot about the good old days when i was just a little kid. This piece is mainly about some of my favorite things about my childhood, and it truly shows how i got where i am now.
Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Brother
By Anonymous
Poetry
Solar Lies
By Rachel Bellah BRONZE
Seattle, Washington
Rachel Bellah BRONZE, Seattle, Washington
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment
View profile
Poetry
Praying for October
By Poe_poe SILVER
DeMotte, Indiana
Poe_poe SILVER, DeMotte, Indiana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Combine
By BreLee SILVER
Sula, Montana
BreLee SILVER, Sula, Montana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
You
By BreLee SILVER
Sula, Montana
BreLee SILVER, Sula, Montana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Unspeakable
By niceenouf PLATINUM
Garfield, New Jersey
niceenouf PLATINUM, Garfield, New Jersey
26 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"As we move on, you forget, we both move on, with no regret."

View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 357 comments.

Nard Allen said...
on Dec. 9 2013 at 6:05 pm
Very good!!
Pargaran SILVER said...
on Nov. 19 2013 at 4:27 pm
Pargaran SILVER, New Glasgow, Other
6 articles 3 photos 123 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Be who you are, and say what you feel. Because those who mind don&#039;t matter, and those who matter don&#039;t mind.&quot; <br /> -Dr. Seuss

View profile
I could relate to a lot of this! Haha, good old childhood. I miss it.
NewBeginnings PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 12 2013 at 8:32 am
NewBeginnings PLATINUM, Alexandria, Virginia
28 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Love is getting a big wet kiss from a dog even though you locked him in a cage all day

View profile
This peice is just....beautiful.
jacey_poo BRONZE said...
on Nov. 3 2013 at 5:14 pm
jacey_poo BRONZE, Chicago, Illinois
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
never judge a book by its cover

View profile
this is s bold and out there.. connecting it to real wrld things, its simply beautiful
FemmeGeek BRONZE said...
on Oct. 20 2013 at 10:22 pm
FemmeGeek BRONZE, Tenafly, New Jersey
4 articles 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.&rdquo;<br /> ― Kurt Vonnegut

View profile
This is magical :)
FilmEcho68 GOLD said...
on Aug. 29 2013 at 10:57 pm
FilmEcho68 GOLD, Wentzville, Missouri
16 articles 1 photo 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then you will be successful.&quot; -Unknown

View profile
We just read a poem like this in creative writing!!!!! I love how you put your life into it!! Simple beauty... i like it :)
writefearless SILVER said...
on Aug. 7 2013 at 12:05 pm
writefearless SILVER, Manila, Other
8 articles 0 photos 48 comments

Favorite Quote:
scare your fear before it scares you.

View profile
this is a wonderful poem. it made me smile and reminded me of my own childhood. it is nostalgic and funny at the same time. most of all, i love how everything in this poem is true. beautiful ♥ thank you for writing this :)
jfsdifdisofnsdklvn BRONZE said...
on Aug. 7 2013 at 10:12 am
jfsdifdisofnsdklvn BRONZE, Hanahan, South Carolina
2 articles 0 photos 33 comments
View profile
This poem was simply beautiful. Words can not describe the way that I could relate (and from the comments, I'm not the only one!) The stanza "I am from tears on my pillow..." stood out to me more than any other, simply because of the way that can be you for the rest of your life. Sure, the others are bittersweet memories, but I don't think you ever reach an age where you are too old to cry and hold someone's hand. I applaud you for such beautiful memories and writing. :)
SoImAWriterNow BRONZE said...
on Jul. 31 2013 at 12:00 am
SoImAWriterNow BRONZE, Schenectady, New York
2 articles 0 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie.&quot; -Khaled Hosseini<br /> <br /> and<br /> <br /> &quot;Don&#039;t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don&#039;t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.&quot; Albert Camus

View profile
I basically agree with TaylorWintry..i was pleasantly surprised when my eyes started watering towards the end of this and I don't know why. I really began to love this poem when towards the end you started rhyming it. To me, it was so much more powerful that you didn't rhyme in the first few stanzas and that when I noticed you were...i don't know, I just got really emotional. Thank you for writing this. I loved it.
TaylorWintry DIAMOND said...
on Jul. 16 2013 at 6:24 pm
TaylorWintry DIAMOND, Carrollton, Texas
72 articles 0 photos 860 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Never fear shadows. They simply mean there&#039;s a light shining somewhere nearby.&quot; - Unknown

View profile
Honestly, my eyes started watering when I read this. So many of the things you brought up jogged memories of my own childhood.... Ex: Instead of Cheerios, I tried Froot Loops for the first time in SeaWorld and fell in LOVE. But anyway, I really enjoyed this. The ending was so bittersweet as well! It just made me - ugh. This is awesome. You've done a really great job. And now, after I finish venting in this little comment box, I'm going to take my handy dandy mouse and check out more of your work! (: Thanks for writing this, seirously.
Mackentosh BRONZE said...
on Jun. 7 2013 at 10:39 pm
Mackentosh BRONZE, Amarillo, Texas
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.

View profile
Is this based of the poem 'Where I'm From'  by George Ella Lyon? 
JRaye PLATINUM said...
on Jun. 7 2013 at 3:46 pm
JRaye PLATINUM, Dorr, Michigan
43 articles 10 photos 523 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.&quot;<br /> <br /> &quot;Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, &#039;I just don&#039;t care.&#039;?&quot;

View profile
Just beautiful! I love the way it flows, how precise and sweet it is. Amazing job, keep it up! :)
Thatdaydreamer GOLD said...
on Nov. 26 2012 at 4:29 pm
Thatdaydreamer GOLD, Peterborough, Other
14 articles 0 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;You can make anything by writing.&rdquo; <br /> ― C.S. Lewis

View profile
aww this is lovely!
. said...
on Oct. 6 2012 at 8:28 pm
^That's me. Mind checking out my work?:)
DemonAngel GOLD said...
on Oct. 5 2012 at 10:46 pm
DemonAngel GOLD, Maricopa, Arizona
14 articles 0 photos 20 comments

Favorite Quote:
You are either dead or alive.Your heart either pumps blood or life.Our hearts pump words love life and understanding.Into our sub-conscience body for we use the hands of that body to write. -Best friend :&#039;( RIP

View profile
I love this.It is very well written and brings up old and great memories. I hope you check out mine and like mine as well. Please do not stop writing
carmen_smith BRONZE said...
on Oct. 2 2012 at 6:03 pm
carmen_smith BRONZE, Johns Creek, Georgia
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
View profile
I did an I am From poem in my writer's workshop class this year. I love them in general! I really love yours, though. Fantastic :) Check out my poem "Micheal" if you'd like. It's my first post to Teen Ink (:
carmen_smith BRONZE said...
on Oct. 2 2012 at 6:03 pm
carmen_smith BRONZE, Johns Creek, Georgia
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
View profile
I did an I am From poem in my writer's workshop class this year. I love them in general! I really love yours, though. Fantastic :) Check out my poem "Micheal" if you'd like. It's my first post to Teen Ink (:
Mimi15 PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 20 2012 at 8:23 pm
Mimi15 PLATINUM, Belfast, Maine
49 articles 0 photos 73 comments
View profile
This was so great. You're a fantastic writer. If you don't mind, I'd love to hear your opinion of my poem Broken Structure. Cheers. :)
so_joy SILVER said...
on Jul. 24 2012 at 8:47 pm
so_joy SILVER, Navesink, New Jersey
8 articles 0 photos 722 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Be the change you want to see.&quot;

View profile

I love this! It's important that every person should know their roots, and I like how you clearly stated yours. Love the rhythm, too. Outstanding job!

Please check out and comment on my poems!

Indilove GOLD said...
on Jun. 4 2012 at 7:45 am
Indilove GOLD, Kenockee, Michigan
17 articles 0 photos 71 comments

Favorite Quote:
No one is your strength or guidance. If life is what you wish to live then do not bind your soul to something unreal. The creater nor the keeper can heal you for it is blind faith that leads you.

View profile

I just absolutly love this. It's so relatable to everyone. It's written so clear and precise, this is truly a wonderful piece of work. I don't even know what else to say it's just perfect in every way.

Keep writing and never stop

you have a gift, pursue it