Poetry Pop was born out of a wish for a shared space where we could all learn and find inspiration together. It honestly means the world to me that you trust me with your poems. To celebrate that community vibe, I’m so excited to introduce our guest for today: the lovely Jackie Chou. Welcome to the Guest Pop, Jackie!

WHAT IS an i am FROM POEM?

It is a literary snapshot of the poet’s most memorable images of childhood. Through your poem, you take the reader on a journey to show them who you were as a child and who you are today. Activists, psychologists, and others have used this poetry form as a writing exercise for all ages. The format was created by George Ella Lyons. Her poem, Where I’m From is beautiful and powerful! You can find her poem (and mine) as examples in the template at the end of this post. The template will walk you through writing an I Am From Poem.

Without further ado… Here is Jackie’s lovely poem:

I Am From

I am from brick buildings 
where every boy and girl
with yellow skin like me
has ever been
whether in Arcadia 
the San Gabriel Valley 
or Chinatown 

I am from dark glinting eyes
gazing out classroom windows 
during lectures 
on Wuthering Heights 
on Emma
on The Great Gatsby 

I am from a girl 
who took AP English further 
and majored in Creative Writing
while most of my classmates 
excelled in math and science 

I am from crystal tiara 
and Homecoming sash
pom-poms and class cheer
from being called stupid 
though my graduation cap
was bigger than average 

I am from the dean's list 
every semester for four years 
though I could not tell
a Honda from a Toyota 

I am from a dilapidated condo 
rattling garage doors
graffiti etched on glass
missing children notices
scattered around mailboxes 

I am from a mother 
born into a rich family 
who didn't clean 
and a father with calloused hands
who repeated 
that life was not easy
like a mantra

I am from the assumption 
that everyone around me
is from where I'm from 
and being content 
when they tell me they're not 

—©Jackie Chou

use this downloadable template to create your poem, courtesy of Poetry Pop!

THANK YOU, JACKIE

Jackie, your poem is absolutely stunning. I have no doubt it will resonate deeply with the Poetry Pop community and spark inspiration in everyone who reads it. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us and for being such a supportive voice in our poetry circle!

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About the Poet

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