Monday, August 03, 2009

From thick bodied women

I am from biscuits and gravy, from Crisco and cast iron skillets.
I am from the house with the rock garden, the house with the wood burning stove, the houses on 4th and 13th street, and the house that no one talks about.
I am from a handful of houses that overflowed with love and laundry.
I am from the fresh cut grass and the silver maple leaf, the well worn path and the woods behind grandpas house.
I am from watermelon chilled in the spring and fireflies in mason jars.
I am from Saturday morning cartoons, Sundays at grandmas house, and thick bodied women, from Ida, and Georgia, and Helen.
I am from generosity and an honest days work.
I am from be quiet in church and eat whats on your plate.
I am from Sunday school and summer camp, from bible study and early morning prayer.
I am from faith that has been broken and hope that there is more to the story.
I am from deep red clay, Cains Tea, and chocolate gravy,
from the woman who traveled from Texas to Arkansas in a covered wagon and lived to be 99 years old and the woman who ate lard by the spoonful.
I am from the dust covered memory filled chest, the card board box full of photos in the garage, and the album lined shelves in grandmas room, from pictures that tell the story in black and white and stories that have no pictures at all.



This was a fun writing prompt. Here are the instructions if you want to try it yourself. I loved thinking about where I am really from. It also made me think about what Erin would write here and what Hayden will one day write.

7 comments:

Jen said...

Amazing! Awesome post and cool writing prompt. I read the prompt, but I still don't think mine would come out sounding as put together as yours.

Sandra said...

Try it! You'll be surprised. :)

Kristen said...

I love this.

(I tell Alyssa all the time that she is half Arby's roast beef sandwiches since I craved them so much in pregnancy...hmmmm.)

Sandra said...

That's so cute!! :) Hayden must be half pineapple.

aola said...

did you write this? I love it!

Sandra said...

Yep, I wrote it following the writing prompt. You should try it! I'd love to see what you come up with. :)

E. Michelle said...

Hi Sandy. We're both up late! is your question rhetorical or serious?