I'm from saddles and sweet feed,
Tractors and rusted-out pickups.
I'm from driving before sixteen.
Calves tied to domes.
I'm from galloping through cornfields
past houses of history.
Warmbloods and British spies.
Famous directors.
I'm from an Appaloosa's lathered sweat,
swimming in the creek.

I'm from Ichabod Crane,
vodka and cigarettes,
grand national dressage teams,
"Jesus saves!"
and dinosaurs.

I'm from night terrors,
'nice doctors',
a cockapoo, erotica,
starched nurses caps, syringes,
spelling bees,
and standardized tests.
I'm from our best hope for womankind.
Please learn math.
Be a model or just
look like one.

I'm from Ramen and SPAM.
I'm part of this complete breakfast.
Wood Acres and Shirley Temples,
Clogs, Chrysalis, and Mr. Hooper's Store.

I'm from rural gay bars,
Perms and powder blue eye shadow.
I'm from a trailer in
Jennifer's driveway.
And girl scouts who call me,
"Lesbo."

I'm from Enterprise and Challenger.
Fraggle Rock and Pitfall.
I'm from Buck Rogers

Oh those  #%^&* pylons.

I'm from intimidation, perfectionism,

And fear of a heavy step.

 

Text copyright © Erika Ross 2012.
Profile: Portrait of a Woman by Bartolomeo Veneto, Städelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt
Background: Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar David Friedrich, Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin