Ronit Plank (Take 2)

Where I’m From #35By Ronit PlankInspired by George Ella LyonI am from a scratchy sofa striped in five different shades of brown and hotel towels we broughthome in our suitcasesFrom Raid roach spray, Aquanet, canned creamed corn, and bringing Dad coffee in themornings: two teaspoons Folgers, two teaspoons sugar, a splash of creamI am from bigger than the first apartment, darker and dirtier compared to the rental house, half aworld away from the desert where I was born and a bunch of places I left but have never beenback toI am from bare walls, quiet adults, and my sister’s doll Naked Baby I thought was so ugly in itsbald and big-eyed newborn bird way but wish we still hadFrom sand in a sandbox and in my mouth, the crunch of minerals and salt a lesson even then thatI can digest hard things, take them in until they become a part of meI am from cereal in front of the TV after school and doing my homework before Dad gets homeFrom Grandpa Lou and Grandma Jean, the ones that did less harm than the other set who I won’tname here. From an uncle sent away to an institution when my mother was seven who she got tosee sometimes on Sundays.I am from there are two kinds of people in the world and if you don’t want to be said no to don’taskfrom WW II and divorce, generational and Jewish trauma. From children who didn’t get to bekids and adults who didn’t know how to hold onto love and dreamt of another time and place,just not this oneFrom Chinese restaurants on Sunday and on Christmas Day, bagels with shmears, challah andblack and white cookies when I was old enough to feed myself, and before she left, my mother’sgingery tofu stir-frys and homemade manicotti bursting with ricotta.I am from breast cancer claiming Grandma Anita and bone cancer claiming Grandpa LennyFrom a great grandfather I never met but have heard about because he was kind to my motherwhen her mother was not and never could be.From no dolls, toys or baby clothes left, but photo albums I look at over and over again to readthe faces of the people I couldn’t quite understand.Where to find Ronit:Website: https://ronitplank.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplankWhere to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/