"WHERE I COME FROM...":
A COLLECTION OF POETRY

Part I

AUTHORS:

Julie Feehan
Dawn Adey
Melissa Adey
Monique Alexander
Amelia Andrews
Jennifer Andrews
Lesley Andrews
Todd Andrews
Amanda Anthony
Vicki Anthony
Krista Arnold
Amy Baird
Jennifer Baker
Tanya Bartlett
Amanda Bavis
Sheena Best
Jennifer Bishop
Gizelle Blanchard
Jennifer Boland
Pam Boyd
Allayne Bradley
Shonna Bragg
Joseph Brown
Carla Budgell
M. Dawn Bursey
Rebecca Butt
Frances Byrne
Michelle Caines
Elizabeth Campbell
J. Carey
Shelley Chaulk
Tiffany Clarke
Amanda Clinch
Melissa Clowe

Where I Come From...
By Julie Feehan

I come from toys and sharing a yellow room
I come from a small cul-de-sac with lots of kids and close families.

I come from Mary Elizabeth and William Edward, lovers and hard workers.
I come from "Buz, Moon Face, Jenny Ling and Bobert", loveable nicknames.

.I come from chicken, mashed potatoes and gravey, dressing, salt eat and carrots every Sumday in Mammy's small living room.
I come from doing lots of homework and long hours of study because anything less was unaccpetable.
I come from summers on a sunny Florida beach and a salty ocean.

I come from home whrer I want to stay.

Where I Come From...
By Dawn Adey

I come from an old house
With creaky steps and an ancient soul.

I come from dandelions and pine cones,
And trees as high as the sky.

I come from Juanita;
Courageous fighter, mother of strength.

I come from giggles and teardrops
And big brother hugs.

I come from homemade bread and molasses,
Made for me by my father.

I come from listening hard and learning the way,
From hours of bedtime stories.

I come from a big rock in an open field,
Where my imagination ran free.

I come from my home,
A place my heart will cherish forever.

Where I Come From...
By Melissa Adey

I come from a yellow house on a tall hill
fenced by great, giant, waving maple trees

I come from mud pies baked by the sun's rays,
decorated with green leaves, brown pine cones, and flaming red dog berries

I come from lilac perfume and Old Spice mixed with peppermint;
visits from Nanny and Grampy

I come from marshmallows roasts in the backyard,
golden brown marshmallows, drizzled with chocolate, and rolled in coconut

I come from hide-n-go-seek, king of the castle,
I declare war, spotlight, and red rover

I come from many rooms, places and people, each one holding a different memory, some waiting to create a memory

Where I Come From…
By Monique Alexander

I come from my family, generations of love,
where I'm Daddy's girl, Mommy's angel and Big Sis in one.

I come from Cabbage Patch Dolls and the Babysitter's Club,
the smell of Mom's baking and the treasures of Dad's hockey bag.

I come from green grass, tall houses, and baby blue skies,
where a world outside the door awaits my discovery.

I come from the whirlwind of "Go ask your Mom" and "Go ask your Dad", constantly being sucked into the frustration of indecisiveness.

I come from raisin bread, coconut squares and homemade Sunday dinners, family card games, Christmas sing-a-longs and bedtime stories.

I come from photo albums on a dusty shelf
and diary pages hiding my inner-most secrets.

I come from a past filled with memories,
a present filled with adventure
and a future filled with hope.

Where I Come From…
By Amelia Andrews

I come from a small community on the South west coast,
Where the hills surround its people like a blanket.

I come from a house that faces the ocean,
And from a home that holds all that is dear to me.

I come from Lewis and Doris, hardworking and always supportive.

I come from snowy Christmas Eve nights.
And family gatherings throughout the 12 days of Christmas.

I come from a bridge where I can watch the clothes flicker in the
wind and watch my dogs play in the yard.

I come from a place where everyone knows my name,
And a place that I hold close to my heart.

Where I Come From…
By Jennifer Andrews

I come from a quiet street, that leads to a busy highway,
in the small community of South River

I come from a modest white house, which sits on top of a hill,
surrounded by beautiful trees and shimmering flowers during the summer time

I come form a home which both my sister and I are very proud of
because of our parents morals and respect

I come from a family where both guidance and encouragement have
helped me to blossom and make the right decisions

I come from a mother whose many long hours and sacrifices have
given me the best of opportunities to enrich my thinking
and prepare me to become a responsible adult

I come from paper routes, selling Regal and teaching music lessons, all helping me become a more independent individual

I come from a home that is always greeted once you set foot inside, by a loving five-pound dog, whose warmth fills the air and puts a smile on your face

I come from church and jigs dinner on Sundays, piano lessons on Mondays,
Girl Guides on Tuesdays, band practice on Wednesdays, choir and ballet practices on Thursdays, singing lessons on Fridays and finally relaxation on Saturdays, altogether making me a well-rounded person

I come from being a hard worker, friendly and caring, socializing and lending a hand, all helping me become a better individual

I come from a room that contains a closet full of boxes of items and photo albums of my childhood which I hold dear and hope to keep so that one day I will be able to share a piece of my childhood days with my children

I come from a past which has created me, and at this present time I am working towards a future that will enable me to be the best that I can be, so that I can one day provide the support and guidance to my own family that my parents have given me, while helping mold me from a helpless child to a mature adult

Where I Come From…
By Lesley Andrews

I come from Paradise, 12 Christopher Street,
where I have lived my whole life.

I come from the halt of a cul-de-sac with a swollen rear patch steering into
the deep intensified forest.

I come from a dwelling overflowing with love and laughter without once
missing dogs.

I come from a pedigree of four--Glen, Beverly and having come before me,
a clever brother Colin.

I come from a little maid, as Nan would say, with monkey-like maneuvers
causing furniture to be fastened.

I come from the nicknames Izzy Izzybee, Smurf and Lester for which the
logic is unknown.

I come from early bedtimes as light beamed in through my window and the
sounds of children playing also made their way.

I come from Daddy's little girl where I would perch on his knee following
every supper hour.

I come from a world spilling with multitudes of memories, hopes and dreams.

Where I Come From…
By Todd Andrews

I come from St. John's, NewfoundIand, most easterly place in Canada.
I come from many hills and tons of wind.

I come from sleeping on bunk beds with ugly yellow curtains in the window.
I come from piano lessons and playing on the ping pong table.

I come from a big, long driveway surrounded by flowers.
I come from a basketball net and a swing in the back.

I come from mom saying, "Likewise, I'm sure".
I come from dad saying, "If you have nothing nice to say,
then don't say anything at all".

I come from french fries and toutons with molasses.
I come from cooked Sunday dinner and fresh baked bread.

I come from family trips and photos of everything.
I come from memory books and family trees.

I come from family gatherings and time with my friends.
I come from hard work and love and compassion.

Where I Come From…
By Amanda Anthony

I come from dolls, shells, and rocks, all gathered on special occasions.

I come from a town of fog and smog where sunny days brighten
the tanks and stacks.

I come from Arthur's cod-filled trap skiff and William's lighthouse.

I come from my grandparents' homes of love to now a spooked feeling of death.

I come from "always look for the good in people, not the bad."

I come from macaroni and cheese, homemade bread and toutons
all topped with partridgeberry jam.

I come from strong work ethics embedded in me by Linda and Paul.

I come from a bedroom of great memories written in my cherished diaries.

I come from the kitchen table discussing family history while
sipping on Tetley Tea.

Where I Come From…
By Vicki Anthony

I come from a family: a mom, a dad, and a brother.
I live on a street like no other.

I come from a place that is near the ocean.
When I think about it I feel lots of emotion.

I come from an Island called Newfoundland,
where I would often play in the sand.

I come from a place that I often like to visit,
where I love to sit and talk; I really miss it.

I come from a home where my friends always matter.
But, I love most of all, is it's the place where my family gathers.

I come from a place where I can run free,
and above all else, I can be me.

I come from a tiny town, not far from here,
which I hold in my heart very dear.

Where I Come From…
By Krista Arnold

I come from a garden of laughter and a house filled with dreams

I come from dancing water and a blanket of pine

I come from Jason and Kerry, pranksters and protectors

I come from an excited sweet child and a world of holy monkeys

I come from mac and cheese and salt fish and brewis

I come from higher education and a dedicated family life

I come from cabin golf and red-eyed smiles left on the tracks

I come from singing and guitars and chasing tikes who
have just stolen my scissors.

Where I Come From...
By Amy Baird

I come from long summer days in the meadow

I come from the feel of my horse's soft nose on my hand

I come from the sweet notes of a guitar

I come from the pages in a book

I come from ink, paint, clay, and film

I come from rainy days imagining the future

I come from moments spent with friends

I come from the smell of Christmas trees and turkey dinners

I come from grief, sadness, joy and love

I come from the artistic lyrics of life

Where I Come From...
By Jennifer Baker

I come from a split level, in the Hub of the Bay,
with a side stream, and ocean view.

I come from jumping streams, swimming in brooks,
to watching the crashing waves.

I come from a morning in church,
to berry picking in the afternoon.

I come from cooked Sunday dinners,
with partridgeberry cheesecake, or rubbarb pie

I come from big family gatherings,
with profound family closeness.

I come from a care for others,
and with a confidence in oneself

I come from love.

Where I Come From...
By Tanya Bartlett

I come from a place of beach rocks and ocean waves,
Where the salt of the sea, stings your nose.

I come from a tree-filled yard,
Where the hill extends from the veranda to the trickling brook.

I come from Susan and Dave, two wonderful parents,
Who created a home of love, patience, and trust.

I come from a house of laughter, smiles, and tears,
Where the four of us have lived for the past 22 years.

I come from homemade bread, fish, and jigs dinner,
Where the great smells hold in the kitchen for hours.

I come from precious memories held by a little purple box,
Where my past, present, and future are kept safe.

I come from a great circle of friends,
Who have always been there when times are great or when times get rough.

I come from a great past and look forward to a wonderful future,
Where I am at the front of a classroom looking down on smiling faces.

Where I Come From…
By Amanda Bavis

I come from a street found off the main road,
Where all the houses are built in a row.

I come from a place where toys were often plenty,
Of course, my favorite was the stuffed bear I called Teddy.

I come from parents, who always gave me lots of support and love,
And the one I have to thank for this is the Almighty above.

I come from a home of cooked meals, such as chicken and roast,
As a child, I remember It was my mother who read to me the most.

I come from a desire to be an educator to help children learn and understand,
I want to know what it feels like to be needed arid always in demand.

Where I Come From...
By Sheena Best

I come from a hilltop that slopes to meet the seagulls.

I come from a sunny veranda draped in black-eyed susies.

I come from chattering supper tables and giggling bunk beds.

I come from crackling fireplaces and blankets on powerless winter nights.

I come from corn-beef sandwiches after church and hot chocolate after sliding.

I come from backyard birthday tag and dusty swing sets that never grew old.

I come from "the rock" and "the pond", where grown-ups never wandered.

I come from never-ending drives out west, the land of cliffs and autumn colors.

I come from Ella-Jean and Wayne, supportive singers and loving arms.

I come from a place that I'll never quite leave, from memories and dreams.

Where I Come From…
By Jennifer Bishop

I come from a community that sits beside the sea,
smelling the ocean as it blows past me.

I come from mom and dad,
knitter and carpenter.

I come from big family get-togethers
and small family trips.

I come from tall trees and pink flowers,
because this is my garden.

I come from Cavendish,
a place of love and laughter.

Where I Come From…
By Gizelle Blanchard

I come from a town located in the West,
And from a field where blueberries grow the best.

I come from a house that is up in a cove,
And from the smell of a wood-burning stove.

I come from a family enriched with love,
And from friends, who gather to sing and have fun.

I come from a tradition of Christmas moose pie,
And from unpredictable storms that prove
weathermen do lie.

I come from a place I hold close to my heart,
And from a sandy white beach I hate to depart.

Where I Come From…
By Jennifer Boland

I come from music and memories
held by these four walls

I come from a picket fence
with holes in the lawn where our swings used to be

I come from a family who held me tight
and are reluctant to let me go

I come from "I love you anyway,
even when it wasn't so easy to say

I come from gingerbread men,
that baked and burned each and every Christmas

I come from trying and failing
with the promise of doing better next time

I come from books filled with pictures
and friends filled with memories, who won't let me forget

I come from a place that gave me the best it could
to carry me wherever it is that I want to go

Where I Come From...
By Pam Boyd

I come from musical guitar strings
and sweet-sounding harmony.

I come from a garden of vegetables
and beautiful birch trees.

I come from a salty sea breeze
and a rocky seashore.

I come from Adelia and John, loving
grandparents, faithful believers in God.

I come from a home where honesty
Is always the best policy.

I come from pea soup, toutons
and fresh homemade bread.

I come from sleepy Sunday evenings,
a day of rest.

I come from a studious work ethic,
always do your best.

I come from my hiding spot, a huge
red rock, that now looks so small.

I come from a place that makes me smile
from the inside out.

Where I Come From…
By Allayne Bradley

I come from a black-and-white house
that radiates with color inside.

I come from bonding with brothers,
in a sandbox filled with Tonka trucks.

I come from a huge back yard,
that doubled as a skating rink in winter.

I come from the smell of my mother's cooking,
floating upstairs into my room.

I come from Allan and Joy,
teachers of following your dreams.

I come from piano and voice lessons,
and a family fan club at sporting events.

I come from discipline and work ethics,
which have gotten me this far, so far.

I come from opportunities to grow,
and aspirations for success.

I come from the family around me,
no matter the distance, I'll always be home.

Where I Come From…
By Shonna Bragg

I come from a home that smells of sweet homemade treats and lots of laughter.
Of friendly welcomes as you walk through the door.

I come from a house that over looks the ocean,
where the smell of salt water is breathtaking.
A house that has a front yard that connects to my grandparents.

I come from the Bragg family, Jerome and Viola,
welder and fish plant worker, and loving parents.

I come from the smell of homemade bread and bakeapple jam.
Where front yard fires and weiner roasts are common.

I come from high family morals and values,
that have shaped me into a family oriented person.

I come from high educational expectations and family support,
which has helped me get where I am today.

I come from strong Newfoundland roots and accents.
Where talking fast and using slang is not noticed.

I come from a loving family, with one sister, Angie,
where memories are kept throughout our cozy home in Port-aux-Basques.

Where I Come From…
By Joseph Brown

I come from a city nestled in a tree-clad valley surrounded by
mountains capped in snow.

I come from dreary mornings where mists seep down steep hills,
enrobing the quiet streets in glittering dew.

I come from a quaint home encircled by majestic trees that gazes out
over the sheltered bay, filled with bustling cargo ships.

I come from loving parents born when there was just a
Newfoundland, not a union with Canada.

I come from a loving family that supports me in all of my endeavors,
no matter the cost.

I come from an island without many opportunities, but with people
that have great hearts and strive to make the best of what they have.

Where I Come From...
By Carla Budgell

I come from a winding street that leads to the rugged seashore.

I come from a small community bearing dories,
lobster pots and sea gulls.

I come from blueberry bushes and cherry trees.

I come from fresh-baked bread and jigs dinner.

I come from Bessie and Perry, caregivers and protectors.

I come from strong family ties and solid moral beliefs.

I come from Saturday evening strolls and special Sunday dinners.

I come from secret childhood diaries and cherished family photo albums.

Where I Come From…
By M. Dawn Bursey

I come from a small Newfoundland town near the bay,
where snow can fall in June and moose graze on the lawn.

I come from a house on Newtown Road,
with twenty kids playing cats and dogs in the yard.

I come from a fun family singing "oh, say can you see" at the table,
while mom pleads "can't we just have a normal meal".

I come from a crazy dad and a strong mom,
who taught me to love life and laugh along the way.

I come from Danielle and DeAnne,
Who will grow up but always be little to me.

I come from homemade bread and molasses,
and summers at the cabin with Nan and Pop.

I come from love, heartache, wonderful memories, and hard lessons,
which make me who I am today.

Where I Come From…
By Rebecca Butt

I come from a place out looking the sea,
surrounded by family who all care for me.

I come from a house, old with great tales,
it is a place I can go when all else fails.

I come from a town covered with trees,
where I go to relax and do what I please.

I come from a neighborhood where all families gather,
when we are safe and warm, nothing else matters.

I come from a community where the flowers still bloom,
where the stars burn bright right next to the moon.

I come from the place where my parents were born,
everytime I leave, a piece of' my heart is torn.

Where I Come From…
By Frances Byrne

I come from city sound
Cars driving, dogs barking, children playing loud

In my garden there are trees
Weeds, flowers, leaves blowing in the breeze

Two parents stand by me keep me strong
Guide me down this road so long

Swells of family splash around me
Along with this island so does the sea

One small person in this big world
Yet to be seen and yet to be heard

Where I Come From...
By Michelle Caines

I come from a beautiful, fast growing city called Mt. Pearl.
with a split-level house on a busy main street,
with cars rushing by ever so fast.
I have a big back yard where we all used to play,
but we are grown now so it's for the neighbor's dog to play.

I come from a two-parent home that is built strong.
with a younger sister that is a friend and my backbone.
I collect my cherish memories within a secret box which is
decorated by the artist: ME.
I have a group of friends which have been there since grade
school and, as time passes by, we grow even closer.

I am heading towards a few long years of school and, when
this is finished, I will have my degree for teaching.
Aithough, I grew up in this fast growing city, I have no idea
where the rest of life is taking me…………..

Where I Come From...
By Elizabeth Campbell

I come from a town, where the oceans are deep,
the harbor surrounds the memories I keep.

I come from a house furnished with love
and the warmth could be felt by all those who came.

I come from a garden of flowers and herbs
my mom's specialty, or so I've heard.

I come from respect, love and admiration
those are the lessons I have been taking.

I come from an album full of yesterday
I laugh at those pictures and sometimes I pray.

I come from the memories of all those who are dear,
they made the town a home for so many years.

Where I Come From…
By J. Carey

I come from a home filled up with toys,
And with oven-fresh cookies for the streets' girls and boys.

I come from a home where everyone would come to play,
With so little traffic we played there all day.

I come from a home where everyone always cared,
Even though I am adopted, they will always be there.

I come from a home where my mom would always cook,
Pizza, Hamburgers, Kraft Dinner: she never used a cookbook.

I come from a home where I was told to do my best in school,
My parents always helped me so I would not be thought a fool.

I come from a home with memories all around,
From books, rooms, and toys, even the ground.

I come from a home that I will soon have to leave,
With my family behind me, I know I will achieve.

Where I Come From...
By Shelley Chaulk

I come from a fishing town living by the sea

I come from the view of the mountain, yet down in the valley

I come from Mona & Alex Park, photographer and entrepreneur

I come from a cutting area of birch and balsam fir

I come from a room filled with barbies and bears

A place when leaving brings me to tears

I come from eating jiggs dinner, my mom's speciality

With raspberry grunt for dessert and a cup of tetley tea

I come from attending church and Sunday school,

Where obeying the Bible was the golden rule

I come from a wonderful place I love to call 'home'

and by reflecting back, it helped me write this poem

Where I Come From…
By Tiffany Clarke

I come from the comfort of a blanket that accompanies the
strength and power of the written word.

I come from perfectly manicured lawns that blur into the magic
of lush forests and serenity.

I come from the love and concern of Grandmothers constant,
"You'll catch a cold like that."

I come from the sweet smells of traditional Newfie cuisines of the land and sea.

I come from the encouragement that all I can do is my best, and never to sell
myself short because I have many opportunities to shine.

I come from behind a chair where imagination was everything
and reality meant nothing.

I come from a past of love, a present that is constantly shaping me,
and a future that is unknown but optimistic.

Where I Come From…
By Amanda Clinch

I come from hand-plastered stucco ceilings
with circles and patients in mind.

I come from a backyard with a small canal
which leads to Georgian Bay.

I come from Sharon Keats and Frank Clinch,
two people who prove opposites attract.

I come from kid sister and "nothing is too good for my little girl."

I come from pasta dishes and turkey dinners.

I come from extravagant parties on special occasions and "do well
in school so you can be anything that you want to be."

I come from photo albums and keep-sake boxes.

I come from Toronto and headed to wherever
my head and my heart take me.

Where I Come From…
By Melissa Clowe

I come from a very historic community along the Irish Loop,
surrounded by warm and friendly people.

I come from a backyard where a pond lies with the sound of
quacking ducks and croaking frogs in summer.

I come from Derrick and Margaret, both extremely influential
and admirable beings in my life.

I come from a home full of security and love where 'be careful'
and 'take care' is frequently heard.

I come from a tradition of Jiggs Dinner in the pot each Sunday,
followed by a cup of tea and blueberry pudding.

I come from a community filled with tourists during summer,
coming to see the Archaeological dig and historical sites.

I come from neighbours who recall my younger years of me
falling off my bike, learning to skate, and to catch a ball.

I come from a loving family who want nothing more than to
see me succeed and be contented in life.

I come from a wonderful place that I will see
forever as my "home."