.
I am from adobo and cans of red beans, and from Mistolin, Dawn and Windex .
I am from the chalk on the playground floor.
I’m from the 145th train station
tunnels that sound like lightning and thunder.
I’m from chicken and rice .
I’m from Vanessa and Robinson.
I’m from the know-it-all’s and the gossipers
from Ayyyeee! Stop! and Quit playing!
I’m from the lit candles whose flames seem to last forever.
I’m from Santo Domingo.
I’m from the burns my mother got when she escaped a burning building.
On a shelf there is a bag filled with with photos
and memories .
I’m from a link in my family’s chain.
