Where am I from

Any reader of my blog knows I listen to NPR - a recent episode of Morning Edition asked listeners to create a poem that tells one's origin story using imagery calling upon all five senses. Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. 

Poetry is not my strongest suit, but I do try it on from time to time.

I took the challenge and wrote down a few lines of my own memories of childhood, the way in which I remember growing up. Our family lived in Virginia when I was a child up until we moved back to New Jersey when I was about to turn 14. The fact that much of that time was on farmland has earned me the loving nickname around my house of "farm girl".

I love animals, enjoy planting flowers and vegetables. I often encouraged my daughter to jump in mud puddles on rainy days - because to me, if a child comes home from the end of a day of playing and is not filthy, something is amiss.

My two brothers, three sisters and me had a rural upbringing - and I am so grateful for it.

I am from the sweet, sour smell of farm animals and crops. 
My freckled skin perfumed with earth, sweaty and dusty. Legs worn out from running through cornfields. 
I am from honeysuckle nectar wafting through the air and drizzling down my chin.
From tangy blackberries, fingers thorn-pricked and deep purple with juice.

I am from bristly pig hair and pink, snuffling noses, wet with mud.
I come from downy soft puppy bellies and the warm swayed back of an aging horse.
I come from six sets of bare feet vying for space under smooth sheets and scratchy blankets, snuggled close to hear bedtime stories. 

I am from creaky stairs, the twang of guitar strings. 
Prayers sung loud and soft.
Laughter and tears, shouting and whispers.
Dogs barking, chickens clucking, far off thunder rolling.

I am from skinned knees poking through grass-stained jeans.
The weather worn porch, its faded paint chipping in pieces large and small.
Rusty farm equipment patiently waiting.
Crooked steps leading down the long dirt driveway, too long for a child to see its end.