Kim Rowe

Where I'm From · May 26, 2026 · 34m

Where I’m From #38

By Kim Rowe

Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I’m from window air conditioners,

from Happy Meals and Rainbow Brite.

I’m from the hills in every direction.

(Verdant, rolling, a compromise between the jutting, coal-rich Appalachias to the Southwest

and the horizontal, swampy farmland of Jersey to the Northeast.)

I’m from the peonie bush

the persimmon tree

whose fruit I loved because I loved

my grandpop.

I’m from homemade cherry pie and

arms heavy with shopping bags from Saturday at the mall,

from Alberta and Clayton.

I’m from the bursting laughter

and the rage on the road,

from…