Where I’m From

A poem.

Photo courtesy of the author.

I’m from grandparents
who sought the sun’s warmth
in the city of Brotherly Love
and surrounding suburban communities for
a better life and opportunities for
their future and families as part of
the Southern exodus from
the Jim Crow Carolina states.

I’m from parents,
a Silent Generation father
and a Baby Boomer mother,
sporting Afros, dashikis
and bell bottoms
that weren’t afraid to
let you know,
clapback and shout
their Black pride and beauty
for self and race.

I’m from tall Black boys
who couldn’t play a sport
to save their awkward lives
but were Generation X Blerds
before being a Blerd was cool
growing up on Spider-Man comics/
Super Friends Saturday morning cartoons/
Star Trek syndicated episodes/
Star Wars films and action figures/
Dungeons & Dragons role playing games
to someday fulfill childhood
fantasies and dreams
by excelling through
their creative endeavors.