I’m from cheesy Papa Johns and scorching mac and cheese
I’m from sizzling salt and pepper
I’m from ripe water and polished juice
I’m from amazing tasting food
I’m from smell tasting ​food​, teeth chomping, nose smelling
I’m from the rancorous apartments in the Bronx
From 11 bitter years of being alive
I’m from going on an airplane for the first time
To Florida and Washington, D.C.

I’m from a part of me being Belize
And have no idea where I’m from besides that
I’m from West Harlem Pre-K to Harlem Success Academy to Harlem Academy
From eating slimy and gooey charter school lunch
To even more soggy and greasy Red Rabbit
From P.A.L to Camp Dudley:
The most ancient, most magnificent, camp for boys
I’m from the food there, not soggy and gooey
But toothsome and flavorful
I’m from the activities there, not lukewarm and dry
But elastic and vibrant

The 11 bitter years of being alive,
Have been bitterly sweet to me
I’m from plentiful more years
That will hopefully be good to me
I’m from cheesy Papa Johns
And scorching mac and cheese
I’m from sizzling salt and pepper

I’m from ripe water,
And polished juice.

That is where I’m from.