I am from green thumbs

from bleach and Fabuloso

I am from the corner apartment. 

(damp and muggy, filled with the sound of scuttling lizards)

I am from moss and marigold bushes;

fragrant and the color of Louisiana sunsets.

I am from cooking and hard heads,

from Patricia and Bill and Stephanie.

I’m from the loud talkers and generous givers.

De “sana, sana, colita de rana” y “no te ecupes”

I’m from relying on God to relying on myself

I’m from Guatemala and Honduras,

carne asada and guacamole.

From the death of my grandfather, 

the accident that changed it all.

Buried in the closet are pictures.

Old, new, and all of them happy sitting in the scrapbook.

I am from different times and different places, 

growing old before growing young, 

and smiling ear to ear after the storm has settled.