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Where I'm From Poetry Contest First Place Winner

Rerooting 
Belle Ayala 

I am from blooming banana trees 
Step stone paths, 
The scent of bumble bees. 
I am from Oye Como Va
 Red on rice, 
The sound of ethnicity. 

I am from The Palace marquee 
Stardom child eyes, 
The joy of make-believe. 
I am from secondhand tap shoes
 Tallest in my class,
 A fact that would always be. 

I am from sweet sixteen 
Child raising baby, 
Then 21. Then 23. 
I am from duplex homes, 
Thick brick walls, 
A conglomerate of families. 

I am from cigarette daydreams
 Coat soaked smoke, 
The kind that never leaves. 
I am from highway drives 
Half-blood brother, 
A blur of mismatched memories. 

I am from undying grief 
Matrimony muddled, 
A hurt only known to she.
 I am from the wreckage, 
The rubble 
Of a cut down family tree.

 I am from the forgotten leaves 
Sticks and stones shattering bones,
 A future unforeseen. 
I am from self-help solace, 
Stubbornness and pride, 
A passion to grow undying. 

I am going to be what I need 
A love so deep and blue, 
Through time I’ve found, 
When no one’s around, 
All you have is You.

 I will water my garden,
 I will nurture my heart, 
I will heal from all of the hurt.
 I won’t be scared, 
I’ll be prepared, 
I will put myself first, 

I will watch as I paint 
Color back into my skies 
See love as clear as day.
 I will thank whomever, 
Gifted me this forever 
And a second chance to stay.

 I will plant my seeds, 
Sew in my ashes, 
Watch as I grow in feet,
 Bring shade to my child, 
In the summer, a swing, 
And watch as my love breathes.

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