How to Write a Memoir Poem- “wHERE i’M From”

Where I’m From

I am from doughboy pools and homemade Barbie houses
from Huffy bikes and Helms Bakery donuts.
I am from three sisters to a room and broad green bermuda lawns.
I am from bright sandy beaches and weeping willows
whose drooping green sheltered me from California’s sun.
I am from Coppertone and Sun-In
from Helen and Wes and John.
I am from belting out a tune and scribbling in the dark
from roller skating and tree-fort-building
from fighting at the top of my lungs and finding quiet at any cost.
I am from Bible stories with Mrs. Cluck and anywhere-you-can-take-5-kids-on-a-Sunday.
I am from the Hebjums and Lindseys, a Best at heart with an adopted name,
from porkchops and sauerkraut, applesauce and meatloaf
from a father two generations back that made a grown girl flee
and a mother who lived chasing beauty wherever she could find it, rich or poor.
But mostly poor.
I am from luaus and carnivals, beach trips and berry-picking,
babysitting and in charge at twelve years old and hiding with a book to make it all go away.
I am from those moments of running, singing, writing, hiding, lying in the sun
but never far from the watchful eye of an invisible Father
held in arms more real than scratchy lawns and doughboy pools and donuts and
roller skates.
A Father more present than my own skin, closer than the sunshine on my soft brown hair.
Lover of my soul who was there every meandering minute, keeping time until I came home. 

“Where I’m From” is a poem form originated by George Ella Lyon, a poet and teacher from Kentucky. I was introduced to this form at a storytelling workshop several years ago and wrote the above ‘story’ about my life in response.

If you’d like to write your own memoir poem, HERE is a template to use, including Lyon’s original work alongside a classroom teacher’s example.

Just for fun, HERE is a video interview of me reading my memoir poem as part of a series from fellow writer Alyson Shelton, where she invited over 100 other poets & writers to participate in a “Where I’m From” project.

The video is 20 minutes of highly entertaining content, including the challenge of getting connected online in the middle of a construction project. Alyson and I talked about everything from fathers who leave, finding my faith and growing up in Southern California. I also offer my perspective as a Poetry Evangelist and make a few poetry book recommendations.

Enjoy!