"A Southern Childhood" - a Poem

I have been inspired to write a poem beginning with "I am" by published author and blogger Sheryl Ann Crawford, here, who has written many children's books. She recently highlighted a beautiful poem written by Janet, from West Virginia. I wrote this one with thoughts of my Tennessee cousins in mind.

“I Am”

I am from poor dirt farmers

Working in the fields

With backs hunched over

Wiping the sweat from their brow

And I am from the blue collar workers

Who worked a 40-hour week

Never asking for a hand-out

Just wanting to make a living

I am a singer of Gospel songs

Saved in a little country church

With folks waving their funeral parlor fans

In a chorus of “Amens”

I am from playing outside after dusk

Swatting mosquitoes on a hot, summer's eve

Walking to the corner grocery store

For a cold bottle of Coca Cola

I am from rusty pick-up trucks

Fishing ponds and coon dogs,

Cotton fields and tire swings

Listening to the whistle of a train

I am from a Southern childhood

From biscuits made from scratch

Sweet tea, and wraparound porches

And Jesus as my Savior

(c) Anita M. Ashworth 2010