Where I'm From

by DreamInVintage

Sodapop writes a poem telling of his origins.

WHERE I'M FROM

SODAPOP Curtis

You wanna know where I'm from?

Yeah, okay.

I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I am from the East End of town, the slums of the city.

I am from a house full of ghosts and unwanted memories.

I am from a fourth grade teacher that whispered to my parents, "That Sodapop child there, he's never gonna graduate. He can't even spel simpel wurds."

I am from a backpack stuffed full with F's.

I am from my parents' whispers at 3 AM about my future.

I am from switchblades.

I am from bottles of hair grease lined up along the bathroom mirror.

I am from growing my own mane for years, slicking it back to perfection, so I could have something to finally be proud of.

I am from chocolate cake in the icebox.

I am from the smell of gasoline (who knew it didn't come out of clothes?).

I am from partying with friends.

I am from war.

I am from a house full of battles.

I am from Switzerland, the country of neutrality.

I am from being a peacemaker, from trying to see things from everybody's perspective.

Did anyone bother to see things from mine?

I am from breaking and healing.

I am from letters – 13 in total – returned unopened from Florida.

I am from a runaway horse.

I am from a brother that left.

I am from two brothers that died. One a hero, the other a hoodlum.

I am from staying strong.

I am from staying strong for my family – for the gang.

I am from staying strong for myself.

Maybe someday, I'll be from greatness.

I'll be from a college graduation diploma.

I'll be from sunsets.

I'll be from hope.

I'll be from a world without stereotypes, prejudice, and useless fighting – conflicts that go nowhere, unending circles.

But for now, I'm just from a small town in Oklahoma.

You better keep an eye out for me.

I'm healing from my scars, and coming after the world.

That's where I'm from.