My Journey

I’m from the City of Angels when it was orange groves
and movie lots.
No cloverleaf, no gridlock, no shopping malls
—not yet.
Just backyards full of colorful pinwheels spinning
in the breeze.
I’m from lazy weekend carousel rides, Slip’N Slides,
and ponies that took the long way home.
I’m from egg salad sandwiches on white bread
at the Five and Dime,
and double features with my mother and sister
on Saturday afternoons.