Where I’m From
Hey man, are you Hispanic? Because you look Hispanic.
Nah man, I’m not Hispanic.
Man, are you Blasian? Because you look like a mix of Black and Asian.
Nah, you’re kind of right, but I’m more than that.
Then what are you?!
I’m a human being…
Man, you know what I meant… like, what ARE you?
Oh sorry…. I’m a MALE human being…
Man, stop playin’ around, I meant where are you from?
OH!
You’re asking where I’m from? Well, let me tell you.
I am from the womb of a beautiful woman.
I am from the land of the rising sun,
From that red dot surrounded by white,
That represents the flag of the Japanese culture,
But also serves as a marker on a map,
Telling me, “I am here.”
I am from the free flowing cherry blossom,
That glides so elegantly in the wind.
From the blood, sweat, and tears,
Working over a grueling hot stove, making that food that we all love.
I am from the smell of fresh cut grass and glistening dew,
Laying upon a baseball diamond, at the crack of dawn.
I am from that music that touches the soul,
Dancing, like there is nothing else that matters.
I am from a dark place…
One that consists of laying on rooftops,
Staring… gazing… and thinking… while the stars stare back in silence.
I am also from the light,
Which shines ever so brightly,
To the future that awaits me.
I AM a sophisticated; well educated brutha from the streets,
Yet, I’m not a “gang banga.”
Instead, I am the descendant from a long line of honorable warriors; The Samurai.
Fighting for what’s right, with courage and strength,
Knowing that there is something more important than fear itself.
I come from multiple places of love,
But in the end, it all mashes together into one collective unit.
I am from that warm, fuzzy feeling in your gut,
That love; called Family.
I am from these moments,
The past; the present; the future.
All bringing a sense of balance to the life I live.
So you ask, “where I’m from?”
Well, let me tell you….
I am from here.
This, this is me.