Anneliese

//Someday, someone will ask you a question you should answer 'yes' to.//

I am from music. From Earth, Wind, & Fire And 3-CD stereos. I am from the second window. “The one with the..?” Yes, the one with the smiley face sticker. I’m from the split tree And the praying mantises. I’m from poker games and loud voices. From Andrew and Joyce. I’m from the talking-out-of-turns and too-many-questions. From ‘you’re beautiful’ and ‘this place is so messy.’ I am from sleeping in on Sundays And the TV Guide Bible My dad studied religiously. I am from the new Safeway and Tom & Rays From lox and casseroles. From the uncle under the bed To the lipstick-shellacked bedroom. I am from the boxes of letters. From the memories in the basement I am from the ‘Do you remember this?’ And the ‘Oh my gosh, I do.’