Where I'm From

In English 8 we have been talking about identity and leadership. I have written two identity poems from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Junior

I am from cartooning, from the bad magazines and the hope-finders.

I am from the poor reservations and the poor families.

I am from the dirt and the sky

I am from the res’s never-ending9 loop and the unfound talents, from my mom, dad, and grandma.

I am from ones who have given up and the talented ones.

From sad stories and the happy ones.

I'm from the Spokane Indians, from grandma’s salmon mush and cheap foods.

From the mom who could have been a teacher, the father who could’ve been a saxophone player, and the sister who moved away with a husband she met at the casino.

I am from the res. where everyone stays, where generations are the same, from where I don’t want to stay.

Everyone is a leader in their own way. Junior is show a leader when he leaves the reservation. I is shown as a leader when he scores that first three-pointer in that last game. When he leaves the reservation it shows everyone that he is finding his own path and hope.

Rowdy

I am from the will to fight, from funny comic books and basketball.

I am from the family who pays me no attention.

I am from the flightless birds and the roses.

I am from the traditions of staying the same over generations.

I am from the poor, from my mom, dad and Junior who’s like a brother to me (or was).

I am from the life surrenders and the spokane.

From bad jokes in comics and funny jokes in comics.

I am from no religion.

I'm from the poor rez, and cheap food.

From the boring mother, the alcoholic father, and the traitor best friend.

I am from the poor Spokane Indian Reservation, from comic books, and basketball.

Rowdy is a leader too. From a young age Rowdy has always defended Junior. In that way he is a leader.