Progression 3 Exercise 1 - “Where I’m From” Poem

I am from my home of comfort in the valley,

The home in which I hear the warm voices of my parents,

In which soft, calming music plays on the speakers,

In which I see the blooming garden in the backyard,

Where I admire the smell of the gardenia bushes,

Which were planted decades ago by my mothers loving hands.

I am from the home surrounded by rose bushes and palm trees,

With lush grass soft to the touch,

Where I grew up with my first dog,

Who was brought in unexpectedly by my father,

Who sparked my love for animals and gave my family happiness.

I am from an Indian household,

Where I wake up to the sound of cardamom seeds being cracked open,

And drink chai every morning.

Where I see the rich, deep traditional spices in the kitchen,

Where my mother makes fragrant, creamy lentils,

which awaken my taste buds due to the smooth, familiar taste.

I am from the home in which my parents chose,

Because the previous house was haunted,

Although my grandparents initially enjoyed it.

I am from a blessed home,

Mixed with ideals from both Sikhism and Hinduism,

Which my family embraces equally,

Rather than ever dividing.