Is it genetic,
this olive skin?
From Spanish warriors,
defending a native land?
"This was ours before it was his"
Or from Spanish slaves
suffering from senseless opression.
Pick or whip for the tobacco
From American Indians on the Trail of Tears,
From fighting the white man.

Is it genetic,
this brilliant mind?
From a Puerto Rican man stealing for his family,
Outwitting laws for love.
Maybe from a dedicated boy,
Wanting more for his loved ones,
leaving home for school in hopes,
that his endeavors will live beyond his generation.
From an Indian vision
Of his spirtual quest of knowledge,
Where he will travel the nation,
only to find that new is looming.

Is it genetic,
these deep brown eyes?
From watching loved ones leave on a boat,
to go the New York City.
What will be there waiting?
Was that the right decision?
Will they remember?
From an Indian watching,
The billowing sails of the future coming,
Seeing men with wrong intentions,
coming to bring a new God.
From tears streaming down a,
Little girls face not knowing
when mommy will come back from heaven?
She will wait until someone tells her she won't
And her fragile childhood mind will cease,
And grow into a hardened women
Numb to pain and suffering.

Is it genetic,
These chubby cheeks?
From stuffing platanos in my mouth.
made fresh from the banana-type fruit.
From eating corn
With kernels the color of the rainbow
Waiting to burst across my tongue.
From dry, cracked lips waiting
For when her daddy will come back with
That stolen loaf of bread.
From when he will come to bring
Water that isnt ours
Wasn't water free?

Experience is ours to grow from
A hard life will show that the you are a strong person.
Life brings knowldge that you are to give to others.
To spread your
love, compassion, and hope.