I Am From, poetry by Lauren Scott at Spillwords.com

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I Am From

Lauren Scott·June 4, 2025

English Poetry

·14 Comments·1 min read·99

I Am From

written by: Lauren Scott

I am from my mom’s emotions
that had a mind of their own
so wild at times emulating a summer storm
I am from my dad’s humor
where smiles bloomed
but his temper too in my less patient moods

I am from flower petals I did not plant
Mom’s were nurtured – my thumbs weren’t green
yet the petals’ beauty is always seen
I am from butter, sugar (granulated and brown),
vanilla, baking powder and soda,
and nuts, yes, sometimes this is the case,
and chocolate chips in their tantalizing ways

I am from the moon in her mystery
The sun in his radiance
The lake in its serenity

I am from the well-liked and the shunned
the self-doubt lodged on my shoulders
the redwoods standing tall
I am from planned and spontaneity
clarity and ambiguity

I am from the Big Bear cabin on the corner
from laps and splashes in Orange County pools
I am from “When you have children, you’ll understand”
I am from two sanctuaries for finding God
to discovering faith near mountains and sand

I am from me
unique, quirky, strong, kind,
a used-to-be people-pleaser
the third of three daughters
I am from knowledge still pouring in
like a flood of surging waters
I am from gratitude for every little blessing
from those I love, from being loved
I am.

About
Latest Posts

Lauren Scott

MAY 2023 AUTHOR OF THE MONTH at Spillwords.com

Lauren Scott is a poet, writer of memoir, children’s books, and fiction. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt. They have two adult children who are paving their own paths outside of California. Lauren has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee. Her first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was released in December 2024. Lauren's writing has been published at Spillwords Press where she has earned awards for Author of the Month and Publication of the Month. Her work is also featured monthly on the online literary site, Gobblers and Masticadores. She is a contributing author in the anthologies, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships (2022), This is How We Grow (2023), Petals of Haiku (2024), and Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku (2025). Writing inspiration comes from her love of family, spending time in the great outdoors, and finding joy in the simple things.

Suman Pokhrel

Suman Pokhrel is a Nepali poet, lyricist, playwright, translator, and artist. He debuted in 1999 with a poetry collection and has since published works, including translations of Shakespeare and global poets. His poems are translated into many languages and taught across South Asia. A two-time SAARC Literary Awardee, he also received Asia’s Inspiring Poet Award and was named Author of the Month by Spillwords in June 2023. Beyond literature, he works as a freelance consultant in socio-economic research, rural development, entrepreneurial development and creative writing. He began his career in Nepal’s civil service and later worked with international NGOs. He holds degrees in Science, Law, Business Administration, and Economics.

Condoms by Seán Óg Ó Murchú

They all laughed at me. All the dinner ladies. It started with your one, I’m after forgetting her name now… Smelly Nelly’s ma. A wet little tear trickled toward her tattooed cheekbone. She was roaring red. Her harsh, wheezing laughter sounded like a black taxi tackling the Whiterock Road, her throat destroyed from all the fegs she used to be hoofing into her. She called over the other dinner ladies then, an army of them. Or maybe it was the curiosity of her horrid laughing that brought them over… I can’t remember.
“Tell the girls what you’re only after asking me there ni wee mawn.”
I looked between herself and the girls. Jesus Christ, I said in my own mind, Mental Mick is after stealing all my crayons that I’d been hoarding for myself there before the break...

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