I come from brochures collected
from the amusement parks where
someone’s mother sat and waited
for the children to return from
the bright blue loop-di-loop.
I come from board games,
Trouble, Sorry and Uno,
Played with cousins of cousins.
And the tears would flow
when the little one didn’t finish first.
I come from running through the sprinkler
on hot July days and watching bright fireworks
lighting the sky at night. Mr. Softee vanilla
ice cream and rainbow sprinkles
melting and racing down my wrist.
I come from oils of lavender,
peppermint and eucalyptus
diffused out of a small bowl
of boiling water when sickness knocked
and made its way inside.
I come from water jugs filled with
pennies, nickels and dimes in
dark and dingy half-tone basements, scary
laundry rooms, and night-lights illuminating
the corners where the monsters pop-out.
I come from homemade desserts,
family recipes, and annual competitions
where Grandma’s classic sweet potato pie
always seemed to win. Somehow,
the many stuffed faces neglected to care.
I come from the smell of barbeque on the
fired up grill and the loud soul music
blasting from the 7 year old speaker.
Where people danced and laughed
and sang along to Kool & The Gang.
I come from newborn babies crying from the
bright blood red pews on Sunday mornings.
The Gospel being sung and Mr. Preacher-Man
delivering the word of the Lord to the half-asleep
children and the members of the choir.
I come from hour long car drives,
airport visits, and staying in musty hotel rooms,
and the family banner waving across
the huge ballroom where we all gather
and say hells and goodbyes.
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Courtney Williams is a writer and theatre actor from Long Island, currently based in the Hudson Valley. She spends her free time hosting the ‘Itz My Wrld’ podcast and watching Survivor.
Lightwood 