To Each Our Own

You wear Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jacobs 

Like a second skin

And your wallet hides a weighty silver AmEx.

You're from California 

And carry sunshine in your smile 

And the freedom of the ocean in your hair.

You came from the inner city

Where gunshots were background music 

And you learned to protect yourself. 

Your jokes are always self depricating 

Because you never fit in until now

And are used to making fun of your differences. 

You lived in the country under wide open sky

And as happy as you are here you

Can't help but feel slightly trapped by the cement walls 

Of the city. 

As different as we all are, we 

Each wear bands of friendship and 

Share in the love of 

Starting over again in college

And reinventing ourselves. 

Or rather, 

Learning to accept ourselves and 

Embrace the differences

That not only make us each our own self but

Band us together 

As we share our stories.