I am From

I am from everywhere all at the same time.

From transcontinental culture,

and hometown warmth

I am from my family at its prime.

I am from France

From oven baked baguette

that sounds a symphony of crinkled bliss

when you break it

From the rustic cobblestones of Paris

they outline the decrepitly beautiful city in a sea of gray brick.

I am from La Chapelle, a village one usually finds only by chance.

I am from the influence of Morocco

From vegetable dyed maroon rugs

Made with love and not malice

From Belly dancing and Arabic music

that contorts and shakes

I am from the love j'ai por tata zboo.

I am from Philadelphia

From City of Brotherly Love

of water ice and cheesesteaks

I don't really like them…

but it doesn't mean I don't cherish them

From Fairmont where I grew up

but wasn't born.

From playing on slate side walk

hands gritty with chalk

skipping hopscotch

I am from the childhood

that I only wish I could have cling to when it was possible

I am from the demons

that I survived

and conquered

I am from me

Pure, simple,

and real

I am from me.