Thirty-one days, thirty one posts for the
Slice of Life Story Challenge.
This post is modeled after Amy's Slice, "Places I've Lived".
I am from
a makeshift bassinet
in a dresser drawer
in the land of Mona Lisa's smile
I am from
gold Buddhist temples, sweet sugar cane
two birthdays celebrated
with international ex-pats
and a maid we called Mnop
I am from
a cute white house on Hiawatha Street
grandparents opening their door and hearts
when dad had to go to war,
go to work where we couldn't go
my kindergarten class just down the road
I am from
first grade on the east coast,
not far from the base
second-third-fourth grades
that took field trips to castellos and Pompeii
fifth-sixth grades on the west coast
seventh-eighth-ninth
on the west side of the wall,
developing a taste for jaegerschnitzel mit pommes frites
I am from
tumbleweeds and scorpions
the desert of tenth-eleventh-twelfth grades
stark contrast to Bavarian forests
I am from
a small senior class of Matadors
a major university of Longhorns
staying to work,
to marry, become a family
the wandering of my youth
replaced by comfortable consistency.
My father worked in the Indian Railways, we lived in different parts of the country. After marriage in 1982, I have lived in one place 😊
ReplyDeleteInteresting how marriage can make us settle down! Makes me wonder, though, if once we are truly empty-nesting, the wanderlust will return...
DeleteThis is a great format and I like how you show all of the places that have shaped who you have become. You are a melting pot of all the places you've been. I think the wanderlust will find you again, such an exciting time.
ReplyDeleteI love how you gave a tiny glimpse into each place you lived. The ending--"the wandering of my youth/replaced by comfortable consistency" is worded in such a lovely way.
ReplyDeleteChris, thanks for sharing your childhood to the present in a verse format. Your life was on-the-go but I am glad that you have been able to have a consistent life. I hope to see you at SJT.
ReplyDelete