I’m from the holler
The road with curves and potholes
And a sign that says “We love our children;
Please drive carefully.
I’m from the beat up Chevrolet we drove every day to get to the farm to work in tobacco
The one with rust on the fenders
And a cracked windshield
I’m from roots
Roots that had to be consistently nurtured
Cultivated
Fertilized
Before cutting it off at its life source.
I’m from “you’re not good enough to go to college”
And “you’re actin’ better than your raisin’”
I’m from roots
Cut off from its life source.
From plaques for AR points
Medallions for citizenship
Trophies from science fairs
Blue ribbons from speeches
I’m from the high school diploma that still sits on my parents’ TV.
From being the first person in my family to have one of those.
From being accepted to MSU,
And from receiving the silent treatment when I received my letter.
Cut from my life source.
I’m from bitter tears
From the longest two miles I’ve ever driven
Leaving the holler
The road with curves and potholes
And a sign that says “We love our children;
Please drive carefully.
I’m from the rusted out Camaro
My roommate and I drove every week
For four years at MSU
And a Bachelor’s degree that hangs in my classroom
The one achievement of my life that isn’t in my parents’ home.
I’m from roots
Roots that had to be consistently nurtured
Cultivated
Fertilized
Before cutting it off at its life source.
The road with curves and potholes
And a sign that says “We love our children;
Please drive carefully.
I’m from the beat up Chevrolet we drove every day to get to the farm to work in tobacco
The one with rust on the fenders
And a cracked windshield
I’m from roots
Roots that had to be consistently nurtured
Cultivated
Fertilized
Before cutting it off at its life source.
I’m from “you’re not good enough to go to college”
And “you’re actin’ better than your raisin’”
I’m from roots
Cut off from its life source.
From plaques for AR points
Medallions for citizenship
Trophies from science fairs
Blue ribbons from speeches
I’m from the high school diploma that still sits on my parents’ TV.
From being the first person in my family to have one of those.
From being accepted to MSU,
And from receiving the silent treatment when I received my letter.
Cut from my life source.
I’m from bitter tears
From the longest two miles I’ve ever driven
Leaving the holler
The road with curves and potholes
And a sign that says “We love our children;
Please drive carefully.
I’m from the rusted out Camaro
My roommate and I drove every week
For four years at MSU
And a Bachelor’s degree that hangs in my classroom
The one achievement of my life that isn’t in my parents’ home.
I’m from roots
Roots that had to be consistently nurtured
Cultivated
Fertilized
Before cutting it off at its life source.