I’m from 53rd street in Milwaukee shared with a family eight and a dog named Mia

from overloads of clean laundry
and from moving schools, always shy

from grandma yelling at us cousins for getting bubble soap on kitchen floor
from having sleepovers at grandma’s with cousins every week,
and from looking through photos wishing to be a child again

I’m from a blue bathroom shared by six, mom’s yelling when someone is misbehaving,
the chores’ list on the fridge for six children to follow,
from a family of eight all together

I’m from going to gymnastics weekly,
from bruised arms serving volleyballs,
and from my drawings impressing others

I’m from moving from Milwaukee to Hartland,
from ice pops at grandma’s,
and from seeing my dad on weekends, to not seeing him at all since he moved to Arizona

from wishing I had silky hair
from wishing I stayed in gymnastics,
and from looking forward to a successful life

I’m from hearing about a brother who’s three I never knew I had.
from being told he only lives 3 minutes away, God works in mysterious ways,
and from getting to know Colton and his mom

I’m from following grandma’s motto, “keep smiling it makes people wonder what you’re up to”
from keeping memories alive,
and pretending they are present

I’m from a family who goes to church now and then
from having faith in God forever
and from praying for any miracle to happen one day possibly a family of my own

I’m from milwaukee entering a school in a city I have never heard of
from being depressed, losing confidence and respect, comparing myself to others
and finally meeting new people, opening up more, becoming my old self again