I am From

I am from cooking in my mother’s kitchen, smelling pancakes, pastas, and pies. Anticipating those bonfires with Grandpa smelling the flame, hearing the crackle, watching the chocolate melt. Nijette does a dive, and I do a bomb. I am from strawberries, shrimp pasta with Italian Dressing. Salads with romaine lettuce. The comfort of brownies, cupcakes, and ice cream. I am from church and Jenna Druck, UCSD and La Jolla. North Park, City Heights, and Stuff ‘N’ Thangs. City Diggs, Humble Heart, and Downtown. Nijette, Aunty Lisa, Grandpa, Grandma, Jojo, and Mel. Mom, Malik, Junior, Jeana, Grammy, and Grandpa. Aunt Joyce, Bree, DaJoun, Pastors Hazel and James, Elder Susie, Elder Autumn, and Laura. I am from You get more with honey than you do with vinegar, Favor aint fair. Laughter is the best medicine, life is a rollercoaster no one wants to ride. He that findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and good things come to those that wait.