I am from picking flowers
the sun warm on my face
bees buzzing, birds singing
I am from the green grass
soft beneath my feet
I am from the blossoming trees
the bristly bushes
from the times I spent in my backyard

I am from bubble baths
from shampoo and conditioner
I am from Barbies
from poofy dresses and braids
I am from bruises and scrapes
Band-Aids and ointments
from nursery rhymes and fairytales
the Brothers Grimm to Dr. Seuss
whose stories I know by heart

I am from the bright lights and loud music
the busy streets and skyscrapers
I am from rice
from ramen and stir fried noodles
from cozy evenings in front of the fire
stories and songs that tell of the past

I am from the first time saying hi
from the last time to saying bye
from dreams kept alive
though the dreamer may not be
I am from these incidents, these events
the roots of an old maple tree
the part that is invisible to us
but is the component that gives the tree its life