Shadow Poem Fulu

“Where I’m From” by Fulu Mua
Inspired by George Ella Lyon

I am from Anchorage, Alaska
From Muldoon and Turpin to Boniface and Debarr
I am the big family
[huge,loud,quiet]
like drums at sanctuary
I am from church
The holy place
Where you know everybody

I am from fried chicken and fishing
From the Muaz family
I’m from the respect-your-elders
And the things we learn from right to wrong
I’m from the family who play sports
From the football field
And playing cricket
Different sizes playing games

I’m from Alaska and Seattle
Ice cream and Chinese food
From the dad who works hard
To the boys who follow in his foot steps
From the mom who spoils kids
To the girls who want to be good mothers

In my brain is a collection of memories
Telling me good and bad things

About family members who are gone
I am from a proud family
Raised to be the respectful man I am today.