Where I'm From
Jelani, 2015
I am from the Stalking Rain
From the tortoiseshell and Siamese.
I am from the hightop broken bench
(Small, cluttered, it sounded like me.)
I am from the sweat and tears,
The hard work and determination,
The persistant user.
I am from Smack & Grab and talented,
From Mars and Darius and Betty.
I'm from the sly competitors
And smart players
From calm down
and get it together.
I'm from the protected house,
Never gonna break down.
I am from Chicago,
Turkey, ham and fudge.
From the Christmas stampede, young feet
Scrambling across the floor.
I'm from the two table riot, and
Living room paintings.
I am from all of this as are my fellow characters.
