Page 67 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 59 Spring 2026

Here I Am

I am from crayons and chalk
from station wagons without seatbelts, and Malibu Barbie.
I am from the front porch flying the Spirit of 76 American flag.
(old, white, weathered - embracing childhood fantasies).
I am from pungent pink and purple lilacs.
The bright yellow forsythia bushes
so big and round its center was a child’s secret fort
to be shared with squirrels and birds.

I’m from Christmas cookies, Catholicism and squinty eyes,
from Dick and Jane - but not Spot.
I’m from picnic planners and calendar keepers
and from persistent picture takers.
I’m from Play nice! and Be patient.
I’m from Here we are all together as we sing our song, joyfully
Here we are all together as we pray we’ll always be.
I’m from lazy days at Lake Beseck.

I’m from Zemke, Dichello, Godo, & Socha,
from kielbasa, meatloaf, and spaghetti.
From Helen with snow white hair
adorned with colorful costume jewelry.
Memories of persistent picture takers,
carefully arranged in albums, sitting on a shelf I Am From...
in a basement collecting specks of dust.
A glimpse of who I was. Who shall I become? I am from the cutting board –
from lettuce and tomato.
by Kathy Sabo I am from a one-bedroom apartment
with soft, black leather sofas

I am from orange and yellow daisies,
the memory of an old oak tree
whose asymmetrical, long-gone limb
I cut myself.

I’m from weddings, baptisms, from Juan and Sara.
I’m from family reunions and playing dominoes
and from hugs and kisses.

I’m from “the family comes first,”
and “a friend is a dollar in your pocket,”
and “just because you woke up early
doesn’t mean you’ll get there on time.”

I’m from communions,
from Puerto Rico, and Mother Spain,
from roast pig and rice and beans.

From my proud dad on a ladder putting up decorations
for my wedding, who fell and broke his wrist;
from mom’s albums packed with photos and trinkets
kept in her nearly exploding closet.

I am from the family Morales
by Eddie Morales

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