I am
One who desires
Gold
For all my potent efforts
Always striving to do better
Despite the situations, I may encounter
Standing firmly on my own two feet,
As I think of all that I aspire
To be
From that 773
But my parents Nigerian
Smooth dude
From the townies
Anticipating the day they’ll finally
Crown me.
I am king in disguise
Don’t disavow me.
Akeem
I am from the cold, the hot, the humid and the rain.
I am from the highland, low land, and the sea
I am from the orchids, the coffee, and the nature.
I am from the yellow, blue and red.
I am from family and being together through rough or good times
from mother and father with Tapiero.
I am from the lesson you take what you have and make the best
out of it and no one gets left behind.
From you need to cherish what you have because at your age I
was out of school and working and no matter what we will go through
it together.
I am from Catholic to Christians, empanadas and arepas.
From the time my mother had to work come home cook, clean, and take
care of siblings, the moment in which she began her mothering, and the
realization she could do so much.
I am from the immigration to the U.S; Florida, New York, and Chicago.
I am from going though paper work to be worth as a person not an alien.
I am from my Mother and Father the people that fight, protect and guide me.
Anyi
I am from the remote controller
from Comcast and their On Demand button.
I am from the basement of “da buildin”.
(comforting and welcoming with
love and affection.)
I am from the white rose,
the soft daisies
I am from opening one gift at 12:00 on Christmas
and fluffy lips
From Katie and Granny
and Hutchinson/Drain/Nugin
I am from The Always Right Side
and the enthusiastics
From,” Don’t talk so much”
and ,”You need to learn when to just stop”
I am from Christianity
I am from Chicago Illinois,
the baked macaroni and cheese and lasagna
From the Nugin kids sneaking out when their mother was at work
the lake they ran to
and the tall, dark man watching from the 3rd floor window
I am from under my mattress
and on the walls of every floor’s living room
The great smiles
and loud laughter capture in multiple single moments
that can never be replaced
I am from pure love, support and belief.
Dasia
I am from the mattress,
from Posturepedic and plush cotton.
I am from the warm, loving and having a good time home.
I am from the red rose bush, the sweet vanilla orchid.
I am from fish and spaghetti on Friday’s and dependability ,
from David and Cheryl and long line of Chew’s.
I am from the family that shows love to everyone
and respect for others.
From “if you dont have anything nice to say don’t say it at all”
and “treat others as you wanna be treated.”
I am from theres a right and wrong way for everything.
I’m from Mississippi collard greens and cornbread.
From the time I rode my bike down a hill with no breaks and crashed,
the scar thats left to tell its story and
the best friend that carried me home when my knee was leaking blood.
I am from family reunions bunching up with the ones
I love for a lifetime of memories.
Barbeques and picnics
Loud music, laughter of children,
and cards or dominoes being spacked on a table.
I’m from the moments you look back on
with future generations and more to come.
Kiahni
I’m from the brush, from the place where it’s always warm.
I’m from the dirt under the back porch.
I’m from the place where culture
and tradition really does matter.
I’m from the country where many people
was taken to be a slave in America.
I’m from the place where people’s ideas,
feelings and love get stronger everyday.
I’m from the place where fruits are so easy to
obtain and where the economic isn’t doing so well.
I’m from the place where anyone who come from
there has see it all and hear it all.
I’m from where I’m from.
I’m from Africa the place where everyone love themselves as well as others.
Mariama
I am from chocolate
From Hershey’s and kit Kat
I am the smell of delicious food
(Delicious, Delighted, it is jus divine.)
I am from the acorn trees and poisonous bushes
Whose dark bushes provide an everyday meal for squirrels.
I am from going to church on Sundays and being polite in public.
From Akosua Muhammed and George Bonsu and Yeboah.
I am from giving to the poor and eating a lot.
From don’t talk while your mouth is full and keep your hands to yourself.
I am from the bible.
I’m from Ghana, Pizza and pasta.
From my grandfather going to war in 1919.
I am from my grandma playing soccer and breaking and arm when she was thirteen.
I am from My family’s living room.
Obed
I am from the dirt
I am from the Coco de Mer plant,
the Mother-in-Law’s tongue
I am from deuces and spades
and central diastema,
from Cleo Brewer
And Andrew Davis
I am from The Divine and Human
I’m from Chicago, but my blood runs south,
fried chicken and corn bread
From the grandfather who left school in 6th grade to help his family,
the constant struggle of the illiterate and ignorant,
and the adversity of a woman who was forced to raise her kids alone.
I am from my grandmother’s wood chest
with black and white photos and jewelry
which represents our descendants
Zakyra
