I am from my mother and father
Who cradled me in their arms when I was born
From my sister, whom I held as an infant
I am from the first step I took to the first word I spoke

I am from late nights spent watching the stars and moon
From airplane rides to France year after year,
And home again four weeks later
I am from plies and tendus, from pirouettes and grand jetes

I am from summer vacations to Maine,
From music festivals and potlucks with friends
I am from the melodies of Joni Mitchell, the lyrics of Paul Simon
I come from October, from the leaves that gently float to the ground

I am from the cabin in Guilford my father built with his bare hands
From hot chocolate in front of the fire on cold winter nights
I am from a kitchen smelling of chicken soup
From overflowing bookcases and dusty piano tops

I am from canoe rides on Sweet Pond, from hikes up Mount Monadnock
I come from Vermont, from it’s rolling green hills to it’s winding rivers
I am from all of my childhood memories and friendships
I am from the Earth, and to it someday I will return