Advanced Writing Workshop Portfolio

I am from art lessons at the Rock Roof Inn

From Crayola Crayons and Campbell’s Soup

I am from 205 D. St Glen Ullin, North Dakota

Renovated in the 70s, 80s, and 90s with

Orange carpet that bunched in weird spots

I am from my grandmother’s lilac bush

The purple and blue bachelor’s buttons

That grew like weeds in our backyard

I’m from cereal night and strawberry shakes

From the Bertha, and the Bill and June

I’m from the last ones to show up

And the biggest family in town

From “be nice to your brother” and

“Stop drawing on the wallpaper”

From being forced to wear dresses

And to sit in stiff, wooden pews

I’m from Germans from Russia

Cheese buttons and knoefla soup

From the late night card games

With grandparents who cheated

While Aunt Dorinda kept score

I am from Ronda’s Family Cafe

I am from the Opps and the Dolls