In this poem, Joshua reflects on the places, people, foods, faith, contradictions, and losses that shaped him. His words move between warmth and hardship — from cottonwood drifting like summer snow and fried okra to anger, solitude, and memories of lives ended too soon.

I am from….

I am from an open oven to keep us warm,
From Marlboros and flyswatters.
I am from the projects, small and comfy, and smelling soggy.
I am from the cottonwood, flowing in the breeze like summer snow.
I am from BBQ’s and solitude.
From Ruth and Dan.
I am from anger and bitterness.
From you’re just like your dad and this hurts me more than it hurts you.
I am from Adonai, my God is ONE.
I am from Texas and mixed bloodlines.
I am from fried okra and peanut butter and jelly.
Descended from Bell Starr the girlfriend of Jessie James and related to the true sheriff of Nottingham.
From memories in my heart, before life fell apart, because the lives in them were ended before hey could start.

-Joshua Ray Shepard #874060 WA DOC