I Am
I’m from my mother's cooking
The smell of curry chicken,
Down the hall from the kitchen
I’m from the early mornings sounds
Of a broom
The long bus rides to school
From her warms hugs
Right before she leaves
I’m from my mother's lectures
“You get what you get and you DON’T get upset.”
“If ya don’t hear ya going to feel”
I’m from pointless fights
The grabbing and punching
With my sisters
From the makeup hours later
I’m from our complicated relationship
From our sisterly talks
I’m from her sisterly lectures
I’m from climbing trees
I’m from mangos
I’m from the Caribbean
I’m from playing cricket
I am from the longs train rides
I’m from a melting pot
I’m from walking the
Brooklyn Bridge
I’m from the city that never sleep