I am from Notebook

from desk and pen

I am from the concrete streets

I am from the Dandelion on the sidewalk

the Bright yellow color

I am from movie night

and black hair

from Sofia

and Faham another family name and Maryam

I am from the self-awareness

and compassion

From belief in myself

and self-accountability

I am from Islam and worship of God

Further description.

I am from New York and Nigeria

Rice and plantains

From my first day of elementary

the kind teachers

and the Day of my Sofia’s birth

I am from the wall in the living room

I am from
Pelles and North Faces
I am from a high altitude but I was raised in the Boogie Down
I am from the sidewalks, cracked by roots from trees
the squirrels live in
I am from consistently good potato salad on thanksgiving
and family that I don’t always see eye to eye but still coexist with.
From Sylvia
and Carlos
I am from the tendency to overthink
and end up doing nothing
From being told to sit still
and to keep going still
I am from Catholic school and mass
But I’m also from a place where loving your neighbor is hard sometimes
I’m from Ecuador,
From ceviche and empanadas
From the hard work of an orphan who left a lot to show for it,
from the patience
and care his daughter has raised me with
I am from long flights with mom and grandma,
That got me where I’m from to where I’m from

I am from school uniforms,

from maple syrup mornings and paper bag lunches.

I am from grass covered feet and swimming pool days.

I am from the front yard dandelions, 

the back yard weeds.

I am from Dr. Seuss stories

and green eyes,

from Tracy and John and Ella.

I am from big brothers

and piano serenades.

From car seat karaoke

and cousin talent shows.

I am from Wednesday ashes

and face washes.

I’m from fields of green I’ve not seen.

from St. Patrick’s day feasts and chocolate cupcakes.

From summer fires on the beach,

the sand crabs, the sunburns, and long drives home.

I am from bookshelf photo albums and birthday wishes of happy returns.

I am from my Abuelita,

From where bachata is heard far and wide,

I am from a land that shimmers like gold, 

Where the sun glimmers , 

Touching the nation and sea year round.

I am from the beach,

As the sand sweeps between our feet, while the saltwater

Splashes against the heat.

I am from the Guira and Guitarra

The soothing rhythmic beats that make up our hearts.

Even the roosters sing and have their part.

I am from Tres leches

The only place where one kind of milk isn’t enough,

For our cakes

I am from the land of the Lord,

Where we give praises everyday 

With family and grace..

I am from the Dominican Republic,

From Queso frito to caramel cakes.

Our foods unite us and who we strive to be 

I am from the love that keep us together 

Through joy and tragedy.

Gods got us, fully.

For he only is my rock and my salvation,

My fortress.

…

I am from 50 cent chips from the corner store ,

from big buildings and cars.

I am from the childhood memory apartment, fun, big, loud.

I am from the red roses, pink carnations, sun the representation of love.

I am from annual family cookouts and thick hair

From Daddy and Mommy.

I am from the caring for people like grandma and my love for music like Daddy

From “You look just like your Mom ” and “You play music just like your Dad”.

I am from Christianity believing in Jesus Christ

I am from Brooklyn New York and North Carolina , sweet potato pie and fried chicken

From the time my parents met , the passing of my grandmother

I am from a place where everyone looks out for each other.

i am from a apple

from pizza and hot dogs

i am from bricks and brownstones

i am from the lilac bushes

the pretty tall trees

the leaves on the ground

i am from family dinners on Sundays and laughs and great times

from Marshall singleton and Linda Shobey

from Richard Dowe

i am from Christianity beliefs and southern hospitality

from always wanting to be the best and look the best

i am from the Baptist churches

im from brooklyn new york with south carolina roots

from black eye peas and collard greens

from near to death experience

the tramua and heartbreak of almost losing my father in a car accident

to the turn around of him being well and alive til this day

to my growth to strive to be a better person everyday

from never taking life for granted

losing my grandfather back in 2017

i am from summerton sc my deep route

I am from a beautiful place where everybody is called ” PARCERO” . 

 I am from the caribbean sea and the pacific ocean bordered the country.

I am from the rhythm of vallenato,cumbia and despecho.

I’m from dancing cumbia is the first thing you learn in school

I’m from the ” Bandeja paisa” is the national dish.

I’m from gorgeous flowers grow everywhere, where the beautiful festival flower take place.

I’m from the smell of coffe wake you up every single day, and your mom making AREPAS with cheese for breakfast is the best way she can show you LOVE.

I’m from ‘CHIVA PARTYS BUS” is part of your weekends, going around the whole city on a bus dancing and singing is a good way to have fun.

I’m from people have the unique ability to be positive in difficult times. YES I’M FROM COLOMBIA.

I am from a beautiful place where everybody is called ” PARCERO” . 
 I am from the caribbean sea and the pacific ocean bordered the country.
I am from the rhythm of vallenato,cumbia and despecho.

I’m from dancing cumbia is the first thing you learn in school
I’m from the ” Bandeja paisa” is the national dish.
I’m from gorgeous flowers grow everywhere, where the beautiful festival flower take place.

I’m from the smell of coffe wake you up every single day, and your mom making AREPAS with cheese for breakfast is the best way she can show you LOVE.
I’m from ‘CHIVA PARTYS BUS” is part of your weekends, going around the whole city on a bus dancing and singing is a good way to have fun.

I’m from people have the unique ability to be positive in difficult times. YES I’M FROM COLOMBIA.