I am from Barbie dolls

from Tide and Downey.

I am from the small-roofed home.

(Rustic, quaint,

it sounded like a babbling brook.)

I am from the dandelions,

the Japanese magnolia tree,

which grew so tall in Poppy’s front yard.

I’m from the Sunday morning breakfasts and big, brown eyes,

from Popham and Schexnayder

and Rice

I’m from the jokers

and the happy endings

from Don’t make me count to three! and Pick it up!

I’m from no meat on Fridays

and giving up Dr. Pepper.

I’m from Baptist and European blend,

cannolis and crumpets.

From the front teeth my dad lost

on a waterslide,

the concussion my sister sustained from snowboarding

down the stairs.

From the office computer

that houses the family pictures,

underneath piles of paper and knickknacks.

I am the living dream of my parents--

Who loved me before they knew me--

a new dawn to continue the lineage.