Where Am I From?

I am from Richmond Terrace

Where criminals are kept safe

Above the harbor while

Innocents are forced to

Avoid violence.

I am from the

Cherry blossom that blooms

In my room as

Aaliyah’s voice soothes

In my soul.

I am from Aunt Babe Ray’s beef soup

Filling my stomach with delight

 and soothing my soul

 to sleep.

I am from Software Engineering

Designing websites and mobile apps

Working to close the gender gap

For women in technology.

I am from graphic arts and design

To put images together

On a computer

In a creative state of mind.

I am from the era of enriching music

Tupac motivating you to “Keep ya head up”,

Biggie showing us that “The Sky is the limit”,

And Nas telling us that “If the truth is told, the youth can grow

Then learn to survive

until they gain control”

I am from my past and present

And dreams of the future.

I am from hard work and

Harder play.

I am from writing down my thoughts

About a misfortunate day.

I am from those moments where

 a leaf changes color with the weather.

Time only strengthens the branch that holds me.