Where I'm From

Alyson Shelton

Where I’m From poems inspired by George Ella Lyon featuring all kinds of phenomenal writers, hosted by Alyson Shelton.

  1. 5D AGO

    Lisa Rizzo

    Where I'm From #30 By Lisa Rizzo Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from the back seats of rusty old cars, from Crisco and Jell-O. I am from a lawn stretching to farm fields behind (bee-laden and humid, smelling of wind and black loam) I am from the promise of wild rose and lilac offering sweetness after snow-laden winter. I’m from watching family home movies. Our bodies flickered across the screen, growing and changing in each reel. And I am from work, always work - housework and yardwork and laundry and dishes - doing what must be done. From Melba Lorene and William Frank. I’m from their will to survive and my longing for something I couldn’t name, sneaking a read under the covers at night. From Quit your bellyaching and Frogs wish they had wings, from Do something useful and Because you’re the oldest. I’m from the preacher saying All Rise to lead us in Methodist hymns, from watching the clock, pews hard under my thighs. I’m from Texas to Colorado to Illinois, from my mother’s southern drawl and my father orphaned of family, weekly cornbread and pinto beans, and my mother’s famous red cake and lasagna. From my parents’ mahogany dressers traveling with us on Mayflower moving vans, to each new home that - Please Lord - might be the one. Dressers that still watch over me as words spool from my pen. Where to find Lisa: Website: https://lisarizzowriter.com/ Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    29 min

  2. MAR 24

    Rosanna Staffa

    Where I’m From #29 By Rosanna Staffa Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from a blue Atala bike From Borotalco Roberts and Coty powder #21 the whiff of candy they left in the bathroom I’m from watching a snowfall from window to window Old newspapers piled on a chair and a piano. I am from yellow tramways and small squares with dripping fountains Sidewalks smelling pungent, after a Spring rainfall, skunk.-like I am from Sunday crossword puzzles, and butterflies at the window, No hugs. Lightning bugs in a jar. A stray cat that was secretly mine. From Magda Sangineto and Ugo Staffa. I’m from Magda embroidering my dowry, never too early to start, and Ugo the marvelous dancer who dragged along a trunk of novels throughout the war. Tolstoy, Maupassant, Dumas. Eat slowly and sit up straight. I’m from playing catch with my brothers in front of an abandoned church. I’m from Neapolitan barons and Swedish soldiers with blue eyes I am from Zeppole sweets at Carnival I fried standing on a chair. From a father who at the front in Albania said yes to switching places for a furlow, and the boat that soldier boarded sank in the Adriatic sea. Always rushing early to trains and events, he died very old and wanting more time. From a mother with a cascade of chestnut curls cupping her chin in her hands with serious eyes who died too young for me to see her when I look in my mirror. I took with me from home to home in a battered box: her thimble and a frayed prayer book, his mess kit and Modiano Neapolitan deck of cards. A nest of old feathers, I hide them high on a shelf in every home. Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    21 min

  3. MAR 17

    Jody Ohlsen Collins

    Where I’m From #28 By  Jody Ohlsen Collins Inspired by George Ella Lyon 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 age 12 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 bright brown hair. Lover of my soul who was there every meandering minute, keeping time until I came home. Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    22 min

  4. MAR 10

    Maureen C. Berry

    Where I'm From #27 By Maureen C. Berry Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from buttercream yellow kitchen walls, From a General Electric avocado green stove and The Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I am from the tiger lilies pushing up against the chain-linked fence. (Orange, erect, between patches of urine-soaked lawn from the dogs.) I am from the Rose of Sharon The neighbor’s elm Whose limbs stole across our yard blanketing pollen Like snow Every spring. I am from Easter baskets and hand-me-downs, Mary Margaret and Patrick Dixon. I’m from the “Get that dog outta heres” And “Be home before the streetlights are on,” From Sit still! and Hurry up! I’m from Three Rivers and The Terrible Towel, Chipped ham from Bob’s Grocery two doors down and tuna noodle casseroles. From the belt my father wielded like power From my mother immunizing the sick and poor. I’m from Bless me Father for I have sinned, Hail Mary Full of Grace, Jesus on the cross in every room, and candles lit for the deceased and fallen. I’m from pride and hope—vats of scrambled eggs for dinner, Fish on Fridays. From the woman who birthed and raised six boys and six girls, mostly alone, with no regrets. Where to find Maureen: Website: https://maureencberry.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maureenc.berry/ Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    36 min

  5. MAR 3

    Tonya Todd

    Where I’m From #26by Tonya ToddInspired by George Ella Lyon I am from books and cats and baseball bats,from Mother’s Milk and Banner Batteries.I am from the swimming pool in the back yard.(Deep, shimmeringeyes stinging like chlorinated dreams.)I am from Oleander bushes,their poison-laced leavesbright and fragrant as rose petals.I am from Christmas cookies and big teeth,from Butterflies and Carnations.I am from hand washersand hand-me-ups,from sit up and settle down.I am from spiritual freedom,endless open paths that led toone God.I am from magyarsziren and the Pennsylvania Dutchess of Bucks County—north ofbrotherly love,dark chocolate almonds and ice cream after everything.From the three engagement rings Nana acceptedat one time,the bus my mother fled between my fathers.In my closet was a warm nestof devoted kittens.a blanket of unconditional loveto purr my troubled mind to sleep.I am from these creatures —graced with magnificent progenal gifts —morphing from monster to Muse. Where to find Tonya:Website: https://www.mstonyatodd.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstonyatodd/ Where to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    21 min

  6. FEB 3

    Michelle Yang

    Where I’m From #25 By Michelle Yang Inspired by George Ella Lyon   I am from sweet potato noodles from Shin Ramyun, jajangmyeon, and barley tea. From the apartment atop a Korean bathhouse (boisterous, chained, with bees buzzing between bristly bricks.)   I am from the forbidden mango my Po-po sneaks me, the pulpy fibers cling between my baby teeth. I’m from incensed family shrines and stocky, 6-foot Northerner frames. From Yeh-yeh, Po-po, Lao-yeh, Lao-Lao. I’m from sacrifice, from the left-behind. I’m from ‘girls don’t fart’ and ‘never talk back.’   I’m from my grandmother’s temples to the suburban churches, I never belonged. I’m Chinese from Korea. Forever from the in-between. A Yankee-doodle riding on a red dragon. From War, Famine, and Gluttony— I rose. Nourished by kimbap, potato soup, kimchi, and McDonald’s fries.   I am from Yeh Yeh’s pigeons, whom he fed nonstop in his dementia until the sidewalks crunched with our noodles.  Where to find Michelle: Website: https://www.michelleyangwriter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleyangwriter/ Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    33 min

  7. JAN 27

    Buick Audra

    Where I’m From #24 by Buick Audra Inspired by George Ella Lyon I’m from things I didn’t get to choose Like mango groves and Southern roots The latter of which, I found out by looking online I’m from water ballet in Pelican Lake My cousin Er was other long legs Our grandmother couldn’t quite see us, so we danced for her ears I’m from many church basements in the suburbs of Boston Small Styrofoam cups and hot bitter coffee I sat with the other kids who knew all the Steps by heart I’m from forest green platforms, with gills like the car Owned by my aunt Nancy, kindred from the start she still says, “I’m proud of you, Bu” each time that we speak I’m from courage one minute and fear in the next The twist in the back, the ache in the neck I’m from “sorry” when I haven’t done anything to be wrong I’m from sunshine so bright, the brain can’t adjust From lizards and Banyan trees, Southeastern gusts The air and the palms call me back, but I rarely go I’m from harmonies sung by my mom and her sister From ego that injures and claims not to miss her It’s none of my business, but I feel it there under my skin I’m 10 Preble Gardens and Chicago Point Road Old 147 th and Coconut Grove A quilt of locations I’ve been stitching all of my life I’m from Buick and Boey, or “Boick” and “Bu” From lessons in love and just who is who Alike and so very different, my brother and me I’m from choirs and girls and French braids in dresses From what friendship means outside of our tresses The sounds of our voices as they became one for a time I’m from words and guitar parts, and wild disappointment From jealousy, hurt, and quick bursts of enjoyment The balance is one I don’t strike, but I ride on two wheels I’m from Punk clubs and venues, obsessed with dead men I don’t care much now, and I didn’t care then I have looked all my years for the women and held up their light I’m from melodies—mine, and the ones that are sent From loud rigs and rhythms that aim to offend I carry the pressure of all the females who were first I’m from what I inherited and what I did not I belong to myself; I own what I’ve got The blood and the bone and the rasp of my one given voice As the narratives grow and the characters fade I stand by the music and choices I’ve made It is the work of my life to be fine with who I have been. Where to find Buick: Website: https://www.buickaudra.com Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton

    31 min

  8. JAN 20

    Gia Ruiz

    Where I'm From #23 By Gia Ruiz Inspired by George Ella Lyon I am from layawaysFrom generic cola and heartburn causing picante chipsI am from 9 homes in 17 years, on military bases, in the middle of pineapple fields, next to undetonated bombs.I am from plantains, brown and bruised, then fried, and smashed at just the right time.I’m from my mom’s lived ghost stories and curly hair and loudest laugh, and elaborate homemade Halloween costumes.From Juan and Linda and Javieri’m from holding it in until you explode and cross country road trips, reading books in the car.I’m from hoping there would be donuts after mass.I’m from Panama and the Aztecs and the Ancient Publoans, and the White men who liked Brown women.I’m from fork-pressed empanadas guided by my abuela’s hand, and my mama’s arroz con pollo with the orange box Goya seasoning.From the desert where my dad did the odd jobs, the shoe shining outside a bar, the catching desert tortoises and bopping them on the head, the hundreds of pounds of picked cotton.From the tias who had the powers of brujas, always sensing when something was wrong from miles away.Being the family archivist. I have the papers and the photos, the stories and the secrets. The family’s human confessional. Given to me by everyone for safe keeping.Packed in old Samsonite suitcases for their next journey.  Where to find Gia: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earnestlygia Where to find Alyson: Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/

    19 min
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About

Where I’m From poems inspired by George Ella Lyon featuring all kinds of phenomenal writers, hosted by Alyson Shelton.

Information

  • Creator
    Alyson Shelton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Alyson Shelton