Running head: I AM FROM POEM 1

“I Am From…” Poem

Dawson Delph

Miami University

EDL 667: Diversity, Equity, and Dialogue

Dr. Elisa Abes & Shana Oates

I AM FROM POEM 2

“I Am From…” Poem

I am from rural Appalachia, eastern Tennessee to be specific – a region permanently marked by

stereotypes of poverty, addiction, and uneducated people… but I love the mountains that I call
home and the people who I call neighbor.

I am from a broken family, where I was the only child, shattered by addiction and broken trust.
After nearly 15 years, trusting others is the most difficult thing I have to overcome.

I am from my parents – Johnny and Kim; parents who fought daily, who I knew loved me even
when they didn’t know how to show it and chose to walk away from each other and me.

I am from my grandparents – Carol and Dane - who wrapped their arms around me when I was
alone and in need of love the most. Their home would become mine, but my lime green bedroom
(the color I begged for) would be the place where I would feel the most isolated.

I am from those same grandparents who worked hard and put my needs above their own, even if
it meant they had to sacrifice everything they had worked for their entire lives. They showed me
what it meant to love unconditionally and what being there through hard times (divorce, cancer,
and losing those we loved) looked like.

I am from that small house in that small southern town on Shipley Ridge where I played
imaginary games with my cousins outside and grew to love being outdoors.

I am from a small elementary and middle school. My teachers were like family and I fell in love
with learning. It was where I felt that I belonged. It was where I discovered that I loved to write,
reading put me to sleep (it still does), and math was not my strong suit.

I am from my church where I surrendered my life to Christ. Above all things, my faith has
always guided me every step of the way. I have never felt a love like his before – he is a good
and kind Savior.

I am from an online high school where I attended because I couldn’t push away the anxiety of
stepping foot back into my county’s local high school after my first semester. Sometimes I still
feel like I am drowning in my anxiety.

I am from suicidal thoughts, wanting so bad for the pain to be over, and the day that it almost
became a reality. I will never forget telling myself that people loved me, and the pain was only
temporary. I am so much stronger today and I cherish my life more than ever.
I AM FROM POEM 3

I am from the private university 15 minutes from my house where I discovered how big the
world actually was. Knowledge, new perspectives, and my passion were all a result of one of the
greatest experiences of my life.

I am from Gap Creek Coffeehouse and the Pineapple Tea Room, only 5 minutes from my
university in the heart Cumberland Gap. It was the place where I discovered that I love food
more than I originally thought. I have shared so many laughs and a few tears there in that
gorgeous place with my best friends.

I am from the County Seat Café, my grandparent’s restaurant, where I learned to cook and
realized that my family’s livelihood depended on their business – I spent my last summer at
home working here and memorizing what every regular customer likes to drink before they even
place their order. They remind me that humans are still kind.

I am from forgiveness and rebuilding the relationship with my parents who broke my heart. I
believe forgiveness does more for me than it does for those who hurt me.

I am from my master’s program where my passion was finally within grasp and my love for
students was reaffirmed and valued. I am the first in my dad’s family to attend graduate school. I
want to make them proud. I need to make everyone proud.

I am from regular drives back to Tennessee because I will never feel at home in Ohio – these
drives were where I discovered my love for audiobooks. Long drives have always been a way for
me to escape. I recently discovered that audiobooks allow me to get farther away.

I am from always planning for the future – so much that I often fail to live in the beautiful
moments of the present. I hope one day that I am not afraid of the here and now – I hope there is
a day that I am not running toward the future and away from the trauma that defines me.

I am from learning to live life in my own way – aspiring to be kind, compassionate, honest,
loyal, and full of love. Every life is worthy of dignity.

I am from a beautiful journey that is scattered with memories of never-ending love, kind people,
and difficult days. While it isn’t always perfect, I cherish it, nonetheless.