I Am From

I am from Canada
land of the free!
red and white maple leafs,
beavers and vouyageurs!

I am from the land
of the Hudson Bay Company,
blankets and muskets,
Canoe paddles and fur.

I am from a river city,
millstones and floods,
white skin and faces.

I am from the Old Country,
from beets and potatoes and pork,
from the cross and the virgin, the
priest and the blessing.

I am also from England,
from stiff upper lip
and meat and potatoes.

I am from sweep it under the carpet,
shut the closet door, turn out the light.

I am from Saturday hot dogs
and potato chips,
Kraft dinner with weiners,
and chicken noodle soup.

I am from my Baba's hand sewn clothes,
new blouses and skirts every Sunday,
and from two times Christmas and New Years and Easter.

I am from the monster under the bed,
squirrels on the roof,
the branches of the back yard tree,
the back lane, and in the distance,
a red, neon, flashing “W”.