I am from my mother’s eight month belly

         From Checkers milkshakes and chocolate fudge

         I am from the crunch of potato chips and the whopper from Burger King

        Drinking coffee to keep me awake

         I am from the three story family house in Irvington

         From the hood where you learn everything about the streets

         Where killings and shootings take place

          I am from my favorite flower daisies, putting one in my hair everytime I see one

          I am from sitting at the table every Sunday having a nice dinner

          Playing Uno and Bingo every time

          From Wendy and Raymond

          I am from the TV always being on and the house never being quiet from conversations

          From “ Have fun with your friends” and “Be aware of your surroundings”

          I am from God and my rights stated in the Amendments of the Constitution

           I am from New Jersey

           I am from home cooked meals like pasta, soul food, and tacos and restaurant food

           From my favorite cousin Faith I use to play with every weekend when we were little

           My granddad that saw James Brown at a concert one time

I am from the sunrise while I wake up early every morning just to hear the birds chirp

            I am from the mall where shopping is my passion, trying on the hottest new clothes

            I am from going to school in the daytime and doing homework at night

            I am from the moments when the sky is pitch black then seeing the first shooting star

            I am from putting others first  before myself

            From looking towards my future and leaving my past behind

            I am from times that was easier and less dangerous and stressing than it is now

            I am from the winter seeing my footprints in the snow

            I am from the photo album put away in the attic