W is for Where I'm From

Where I'm From

I'm from the south face of the mountain, 

from Smith’s Rosebud Salve 

and pines.

From the house that smells faintly of wood

and chimney smoke 

and coffee.

I'm from the dogwood and the rhododendron, 

whose tangled limbs created the perfect summer canopy.

From gifts on Christmas morning 

and steadfast resilience,

from Geneva, Richard, and Keen.

I'm from “eat your vegetables” 

and “you will finish what you start, young lady.”

From Sunday School, 

muddy creek baptisms, 

and singing Pass it On around church camp bonfires.

I'm from the nectar of June honeysuckle and spring peepers, 

whose lullaby echoed through the springtime darkness.

From the New River and deep, cavernous coal mines, 

from autumn apple butter 

and blackberry jelly and wine.

I'm from Nabs and pepperoni rolls, 

from peanuts in my bottle of Coca-Cola.

From windowsills lightly dusted with coal

from oak mantles  

and antique china cabinets.

I'm from the hope and sweat 

of hardscrabble mountain lives

and dark, starry skies.

© 2016 Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings...

This is the twenty-third of twenty-six alphabetized blog entries I am publishing this month as a part of the 2016 Blogging A to Z Challenge.  Many bloggers who participate in this challenge, select a theme.  My theme is - "Whatever I Think Of."  

For more information on the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, click here.