I am from stuff animals, chopsticks, and Kidz Bop cds

I am from the rectangular, small and comfy, it sounded like a tv on full volume

I am from the azaleas, jasmines, and pink and red roses

I am from the lucky red envelopes, long finger toes and chinky eyes, from Isabel and Brandon and Madison

I am from the no boyfriend till college and you are the mailman’s daughter

I’m from Christ, the man who sacrificed himself for us and our sins

I am from New Orleans and those who had to sacrifice it all for freedom, pho and rice

From the great grandparents that had burnt wood ashes on their face while imitating cat sounds and the Vietnamese escaping father

I am from the silly, crazy pictures kept in the cabinet inside photo albums

I am from terrible experiences faced by my ancestors, for they helped my family gain what we now call freedom