Where I'm From Poem (Summer 2017)

I am from turquoise beaches with sparkling sand

Hula at the “Y”, Kailua Pentecostal, and Keolu

Hills my mother sometimes walked with us.

I am from shave ice days and balmy nights

Jumping the neighbors’ fences and roller skates

Carving a space within tangled bougainvillea vines.

I am from the “old” Disney and cabbage patch kids

From Superman costumes and giant dinosaurs

Our figurines buried deep but not forgotten.

I am from the beginnings of MTV

Mattress forts, Play-Doh, and Highlights magazines

Busy for hours in the mango tree.

I am from SeaLife Park, the Honolulu Zoo

Waikiki Aquarium, and Bishop Museum.

So happy and carefree my life use to be

I am happy when I think of my childhood.