Where I'm From by Valique Freeman

I’m from those with all the answers

from those who don’t take crap.

I’m from those who make all the rules,

those who show us the map.

From the place that people visit

the place that people love,

the place I’ve lived most my life,

and the place I’m quite tired of.

The burgers are the best

and we’re serious about our sports.

We rock the tanks and flip flops

and you’re crazy if not in shorts.

Get your elbows off the table is what was always said.

Don’t let the bedbugs bite were the last words in my head.

When I was tall enough, my hands were scrubbing in the sink

and at first I’d look around and my clothes would always shrink.

Being short was the usual and the private schools were bad,

as long as I get good grades I’d stay ahead of my class.

When days become shorter and the trees were not in tune,

the bikinis turned to coats and jingle bells filled the rooms.

There was no time for relaxing because two weeks can fly by fast,

but when I wasn’t working, the sports made winter last.

Going from peaches to oranges was an unexpected change,

but when you’re just a freshman things barely stay the same.