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Where I Come From
by Mary Jo Balistreri
I am made of ten thousand lakes
the cold of Superior
the peninsula of Park Point
iron ore ships
midnight-deep channels
and the Aerial Bridge rising skyward
I am made of Gramma’s lap
the wicker rocking chair
melodies of County Clare
of Latin choirs
a violin’s bow
a Chickering’s ivory keys
I am made from a tenor’s voice
and a dancer’s step
love songs tapping through time
I am made of a clean and perfect home
time that’s never late
dinner as a family
of deep blue piano performance
limits of orange fear
ebony polish gray self-worth.
I am made of travels in Turkey,
Nile feluccas
Normandy beaches
of small Midwest towns
big eastern cities
great lakes and the Gulf stream
I am made of a spark
from the dust of stars
a tree with deep roots
reaching ever skyward.
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