I am from computers and Lay’s potato chips
from Blue bell ice cream and oranges
I am from the art gallery in the halls and
the house of confusion
I am from empty and artsy
I am from bluebonnets and
apple trees and lilies and roses
I’m from a neighborhood of buffaloes
I’m from Hannukah and happiness
from Lilya and Guy
and Elizabeth and Vaira
I’m from the from “Don’t lock the doors!”
and “You are my favorite person in the world!”
I’m Jewish and Catholic
I’m from Austin, Texas and Russia
I’m from latkes and matzo ball soup
and pierogies.
I’m from a perfectionist
I’m from pictures in the halls
and pictures in my room and
pictures in mom’s office.
I am from my cousins, my mom and dad, my grandparents and road trips.
Baranoff
3