Taken Away Part One

       It had been a week since Chelsea was born, Tinka her 16 year old aunt was watching her.  She needed to get Chelsea out of here, Chelsea was going to grow up with an irresponsible mother and an alcoholic and abusive father Tinka thought.  Her sister couldn't care for a newborn baby, let alone herself.  Tinka made a plan to take away the baby and move to a safe suburbain place where Chelsea could grow up safely.

* * * * * * 17 years later * * * * * * 

       "Chelsea, get up now you're going to be late for school," her aunt Tinka yelled from the kitchen, Chelsea glanced at the clock 7:45 crap.  Chelsea hoped up, threw on some jeans and a top and pulled her brown hair into a tight perfect ponytail. She made her way down the stairs, grabbed a pop-tart and started out the door, but before she made it through her aunt grabbed her into a hug.  "Happy 17th birthday Chels."

       "Thanks Tinka," Chelsea said, "I have to go or I'll be late and Mr. Snow will lock me out like he did last time."

       "Okay," aunt Tinka said "be careful...."

This Is Where I'm From

I am from Tide detergent,
From Colgate and Tresseme shampoo.
I am from the football lying in the back yard.
(Brown, dirty, it felt like happiness in my hands.)
I am from my pool
The 4ft deep water
Whose glistening waves I remember
As when they calmed my anxiety.

I am from spaghetti and cherries,
From giant green grapes and strawberries.
I am from the geeks
And the nerds, from Cheer-up! And Shut-up!
I am from told-you sos
And I hate you
I am from the wind that whips
Through my hair on a hot day.

I am from books and drawing,
As i did relaxing on my front porch.
I am from Monopoly and Candyland,
From Mario and spyro that me and my brother loved to play.
I'm from barbeques and wet dog,
As the smells I grew up with.

I am from the place where my heart was born,
The town with a community where most everyone knows each other.
I am from the photos that hang from the walls,
The rewards that we hang on the refrigerator.
I am from the place I call my own,
The place I feel safe.