I am from agriculture

and crisp autumn wind.

From bruised crab apples

and blue moon ice cream. `

I am from the utters of cows

and the milk they give.

I am from the chancla that my mom used to throw at me

and the cinturón my dad branded on me.

I am without a doubt from the words of self loathing,

but I am also from positive affirmations.

I am from the suburbs of late night trick or treating

and warm apple cider that was made with love.

I am from handmade tortillas

and queso fresco.

I am from my mom’s compassion

and my father’s mental decline.

I am from glochids

and tomatillo.

I’m from Waupun the land of the Ojibwe.

I’m from two households
where you learn to adapt to your environment
I’m from a mother that was single and broken
to a father on weekends that was stable financially

I’m from carrying clothes home to home.
To a home that introduced me to Jesus,
to another that exposed me to sin.
I’m from an experience seen distressful.
Yet moments cherished,
I’m From learning balance,
to retrieving the gift of empathy.

I’m from feeling odd, due to shared time between two places
I’m from having two mothers and two fathers.
I’m from having siblings I didn’t see everyday.
I’m from hearing bachata, to church on Sundays.

I’m from the youngest on weekdays,
and the oldest on weekends.
I’m from Highbridge, yet other days
Washington Heights.

Overall I will forever be from Jesus.

I’m from Washington Heights

Where fire hydrants are left opened all summer long so the neighborhood kids can stay cool

Where loud music is the norm no matter the time of day

Where fireworks are lit up every day from late June till early August

Where you’ll be greeted by dozens of street vendors once you get to 181st

Where kids line up for $1 slices after school

I’m from Washington heights

Where there’s a bodega or two on every block you step on

Where patelitos and morirsoñandos are essential after a long day at the pool

Where we love to listen to Tokischa and El Alfa on full blast

where you won’t go a day without hearing police sirens

Where Dominicans reside and flourish

I’m from Washington Heights

Where I’m From 

I am from call of duty,

from Playstation  and Xbox .

I am from an apartment building in the Bronx, large, dark, and smelling of chemicals .

I am from the park

the smell of grass that is mother nature 

I am from El barrio where spanish plays out loud 

And hair like annuel,

from Roselee 

And Libio and Libio II.

I am from the love 

And care.

From smart

and mature.

I am from the house of Jesus .

I’m from new york city with a bloodline of a puerto rican,

Pizza and sandwiches are my household choice of food.

From the immigrant grandpa who fled from cuba to live a life of freedom,

And a mother who sacrifice her teenage years to care for a son ,

and the father that had drug addiction who recovered to be a better father.

I am from a childhood of  struggle and sorrow.

I am from friends that created a brotherhood

I am from years of identity creation.

I am responsible for creating the legacy for the last name.