My Origin Story
I am from Fullerton
A place where railroad tracks met orange groves
Where my childhood met reality
I am from the city
But not like, tall buildings and smog
But a place with scenic neighborhoods and old brick theaters
I am from palm trees and sunshine that is brighter than my future
I am from bike races and skateboards
From tomboy t-shirts and beat up sneakers
Torn jeans and bloody knees
I am from womanhood
And manhood
And anything in between
I come from a gender identity that some people claim doesn't actually exist
I come from a place where my sexuality is used as a curse
My appearance as an insult
I come from a religion where I am the leper
With my skin leaking a sinful sexuality
And I am begging on my knees for change
Because it apparently costs more than one broken soul to purchase
I am from a place where living no longer seems worth it
Where the voices in my head are louder than my speaking voice
That's usually why I talk so loud
I am from therapy sessions and multiple mixtures of medications
A cocktail of happiness that doesn't actually work
I am from razors and stitches
From vacations in hospital beds and daydream getaways
I come from staring contests with my scars
And playing truth or dare with my demons
I come from long walks along my sanity and holding hands with my memories
Desperately trying to hang on to my innocence
Dreaming I can fly away to Neverland
But every day dream has to come to an end
I come from growing up
I don't come from you
I come from me.