I am from Coney Island,
from the loving kiss of the sea.
I am from the sturdy sand
beneath my feet
and winds to my ears.
I am from the golden castles,
from the waves of the tide.

I am from the “Can I go out and play?” backyard,
from catching slimy worms and enormous snails.
I’m from the plants I call my own,
from the swoosh of water for the greens.
I’m from the vegetables in the garden,
from the ants I always feed.

I’m from my mother who works hard
and a father who’s never home.
I’m from the grandparents I’d love to meet
and a sister who I fight with to keep up.
I’m from a family who always gives me courage and hope.

I plan to be successful, caring, and appreciative.
I will be shopping until I drop,
going to spas, donating to charities.
I will live in a mansion,
housing homeless.

But for now, I am living with a loving family,
with four turtles I treat as my own.
I am concerned with my education,
and environment.
In this box underneath my bed,
I find a road to memory lane.
In those photos,
I see myself as a fighter, explorer, who never looks back.