Where I’m From

by Natalie Press Del Pino

I am from the unknown,

From unanswered questions and the unnamed. I am from storytellers,

Recounting tales of epic battles and princesses.

I am from plane tickets and long drives, Somewhere new.

I am from 少 珠1 and 阿姨们2.

I’m from The Kissing Hand and the sound of music filling the house,

Voices accompanied by the piano, all in harmony.

I’m from the jokes that are too old, the punchline is wrong.

I am from the strong smell of jasmine that hits you as you step out into the backyard.

I am from family movie nights and bike rides around Sherwood Forest.

I’m from the splash and shouts coming from the pool on a hot day.

I’m from game nights and family dinners,

Laughter fills the air.

I am from late night conversations that last until the morning.

I'm from laughing until we’re gasping for air, Clinging to the memories.

I am from the red blanket, protectively bundled around me, The footsteps fading away, off into the distance.

I’m from my parent’s arms that held me,

March 22nd.

I’m from the stacks of photo albums that hold every memory.

I am from the stories that my parents tell me, and the ones I have to make up on my own.

I am from the found.

1 Shǎo zhū, meaning Little Pearl. It was the Chinese name I was given in the orphanage by the āyímen 

2 Āyí, Chinese word for aunt as well as childcare worker. When I was in the orphanage, the āyímen (plural) took care of me as well as all the other little girls