1. indicating the point in space at which a journey, motion, or action starts.
2. indicating the pointin time at which a particular process, event, or activity starts.
3. indicating the source or cause of something; source of knowledge

Think about your life journey so far.  What are the sources you come from?  How do you explain the person you’ve become?  The type of person you are today?  The type of person you want to become?

Poetry is a great tool to look back at the things that have defined ourselves in the world.   In discovering more about how we became who we are and how we feel, we can learn to like ourselves.  This poem is a bio-poem – showing all important parts and pieces of ‘where’ you’re from.

http://belimitless.com/gchahal/life/motivational/never-forget-where-you-came-from-never-forget-where-you-want-to-go

http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/freedom-writers/i-am-home?play=1

Use as many of the following “ingredients” as possible.  Name and describe things with proper exactitude.

• names of products and ordinary items you grew up with / played with
• home descriptions
• neighborhood descriptions
• yard descriptions
• colors
• specific place names and dates in and around your home
• silly/stupid things you did while growing up or current
• natural items you felt a strong connection to (plants, flowers, rivers, mountains, forests, etc.) that are an important part of your memories and experiences
• traditions, reputations, and habits of family from growing up or current
• traditions, reputations, and habits of friends from growing up or current
• places you went to frequently while growing up – memories from these places
• things you were told as a child – growing up
• losing and winning
• chores and responsibilities you had while growing up and current
• food items that represent you and family while growing up
• quotations/lyrics that have stuck with you growing up
• moments that you’ve questioned the way life is sometimes
• things that were amazing to you growing up or now
• fears and worries from when you were growing up or now
• wishes, dreams, and hopes from when you were growing up or now
• lies you told or were told to you while you were growing up or now
• animals
• musical instruments
• gossip while growing up or now
• beliefs, values, or truths did you learn from your parents, grandparents, and other relatives
• questions and answers you’ve had while growing up or now
• moments that made you who you are
• conversations and talks that have stuck with you
• when you were most proud of or disappointed in your family
• when you were most proud of or disappointed in yourself
• moments you wish you could relive or erase
• things that are perfect to you or perfect days
• times when you realized that life is beautiful – you loved life
• times when you realized that life isn’t fair – you hated life
• times you fought hard for something or were tested
• best / worst experiences at school
• mythical / popular characters
• difficult choices you’ve had to make
• times you felt incredibly lucky or unlucky
• best / worst arrivals / departures
• weather
• painful or wonderful experiences you have had involving a brother, sister, parent, or relative

I’m from sleeping on the couch with family after a huge Thanksgiving dinner
saying grace before every meal
and opening colorful gifts from under the tree on Christmas morning
I’m from “Stop talking to me – I hate you!”
and “Why did you do that, you idiot?!”
I’m from greasing my slide when it gets stuck
and, “My music is my life, leave me alone!”
I’m from cuts and bruises and broken bones
and, “Please come back, I miss you!”
I’m from randomness and craziness,
watching Across the Universe and singing to almost every song
and “Hate is a strong word.”
I’m from “When are you coming home?”
and visiting the hospital and crying when I see you like that
I’m from people who have nothing to hide, hide nothing
      life is a journey to a point of repose
      don’t play like a gray mark on a gray wall
and I’m not a hamster, and life is not a wheel
I’m from “What is that note?”
and, “How do you play it?”
I’m from truthful lies
I’m from music drifting through my soul always and forever
I’m from life itself
– Harlie S. 08
_________________________________

I’m from being at the beach all day
to swimming in the pool all night.
I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania and the colorful mountains of Telluride.
I’m from dirt bikes and skis, snow and mud
from mashed potatoes and tomatoes
I’m from growing up with teenagers
and “Don’t do drugs and don’t drink and drive.”
I’m from laughing and being laid back
I’m from “If you do it, then I have to do it!”
From screaming silently for help and no one listening
and remembering March 24th 2006 . . .
I’m from “Who are you, and why are you reading?”
– Lily R. 09
_____________________________

I’m from music notes surrounding my soul
from doing EVERYTHING last minute
I’m from knowing lines from most movies
and quoting songs everytime I talk.
I’m from mixing a CD just for you
and listening to Bob Marley when I’m blue
from not knowing what to do
I’m from graphic tees
and screaming when I see a bee
and I’m from Slam Poetry
from mixing ideas in a blender to create myself
I’m from running out of ideas
and ending this poem with this line.
– Kianna R 09

Where I’m From

Buttered popcorn falling from my fingers
my pop in a tall, thin glass,
I’m from a red wagon turning over,
making a scrunching sound as it rolls
over a rocky bump in the sidewalk.
From freshly cut grass that flies
in the breeze and lands in my eyes.
From Aladdin characters blanketed
by a mass of bath bubbles in the tub
I’m from Mickey Mouse in a kiddie book
with a sloppy blue face and from bed sheets
and oversized brown boxes that
created a sheltered haven.
A house of good jazz and vivid colors,
a house overpowered by the smell
of peanut butter cookies.
– Amanda K.
_______________________

I’m from sarcasm
and one-liners
from being greedy
and not caring
from a long-lost
father,
rarely seen
brothers and sisters>
I’m from pizza on Saturdays
with Faygo or Koolaid
(Mom has a beer)
I’m from birthdays
that don’t matter.
From hiding one piece of grandma’s puzzle
so that I could
put the last piece in.
I’m from itchy chicken pox
keeping me away
from pregnant mom
and perfect attendance.
– Megan M.
_______________________

I am from fussin’ and cussin’
while in the kitchen the bread is burning
from a great-grandmother
who worries too much,
Sunday gatherings with loud uncles,
a close-minded father who thinks
it’s his way or the highway.
I am from a beautiful mother
now deceased who left me with an elegant memory.
I am from the pinky I broke
while running to the phone.
I am from a love which is sometimes
hardly shown, but we know it’s there.
I am from long, boring summers
sitting on the porch watching
the cars go by, talking on the phone,
nosy neighbors who always
want to borrow some food
and have no lives of their own.
– Isis F.
_____________________

I’m from the apartment building
festering with thieves
waiting to pilfer our possessions,
vague memories of desolate hallways,
tainted white walls and lime green carpet
echo through my mind.
I am from busy streets, overcrowded with
old-fashioned cars corroded by the elements.
from the video store on the corner of Jefferson
that carried my favorite cartoon series
and the arcade across the street
that I never went into.

I’m from a forgotten neighborhood
that has more grass than homes,
a street spotted with decaying houses,
chipped paint and torn down landmarks.
From a quiet neighborhood with
a very old tree that hangs over my front lawn,
though struck by lightening, it still hangs on.
The old, green Dodge Shadow
that my father once cherished.
hot summer days playing basketball,
Cold winter nights shoveling snow>

I’ve grown up since then and things
are more complex, As time goes on
everything changes around me.
But what will never change,
what always remains the same,
is where I’m from.
– Joshua T.