"Who Am I and Where I’m From

I’m from Westchester where the air is clean, trees are colorful, always daring to dream.

I’m from living across the street from the projects, thinking I’m different.

I’m from getting caught up, always being in at my cousins’ who lived in the projects.

I’m from wandering around unsupervised with friends & family, brother checking out abandoned properties, acting as if they were playgrounds.

Until I saw 2 of these friends who took me into an abandoned site,

told me to suck or eat the shit on the ground.

At that moment, I turned and looked around, with no one to help.

I don’t remember what I did, went home in shame, I just hid.

On the other hand, I had so much love, happiness, played marbles, tag, "ride the belt," hopscotch, and all.

We had a ball.

I’m from high school where I was involved in sports, all my friends—white, Black, etc.—all sorts!

I’m from drug addiction to recovery.

I’m from friendly hitchhiking for school, train-hopping, and meeting a fool.

But through it all, I was happy most of the time.

Met great people, joined the military,

having to be displaced, stay in line.

Making jewelry is a part of what I love, the rest I pray to the universe and God above."