By Chris Rubio

I am From video games

From Playstation and XBox

I am from the tall building 

(Tan, Brown, it mainly smelled like wood)

I am from the rose bush in the yard

Bright, can be different colors and can hurt.

I’m from Movies and sports

From Don and Leslie

I’m from the kindness and great sense of humor

From success comes from hard work and You’re a great kid

I’m from the cross i guess, i believe in god that's what i’ll say

I’m from Virginia and a great colombian ancestry

Arepas, and plantains

From my greatgrandmother who ran across the border just to be free and to soon then make my moms mom, then came me.

The great grandfather that always watched me play games and said i'll do great things.

You can find my family history in a time capsule I made and in Tampa, Florida.

They’re important because…..they meant a lot to me and my family cause they tell great and amazing stories of my family history. 

From closets and suitcases

I am from boxes in the garage

(Dusty, collapsing, smells of our old houses)

I am from apple trees, cherry trees,

Fruit like tennis balls...more like golf balls? 

But enough for the birds

I’m from jumping on New Year’s, and joking around

From Madonna and Emmer

I’m from karaoke and cramped cars

From “Do your best!” and “Did you eat yet?”

I’m from holy family figurines, flowers on the altar

I’m from Japan, but not Japanese

I

Am

Filipino

Pancit palabok and sinigang

From not seeing my Navy dad for weeks…

Months…

Years…

My mama's escape from abusive parents, strongest woman I know

In these totes, these closets, these boxes

Photo albums, facebook, and walls

Memories flash before me

I am from these images,

From a screen or a page,

Showing dad we’re fine from across the world

I am determined and aggressive

I wonder if i am better than most

I hear lion roars miles away

I see my opponents

I want my gold medal

I am determined and aggressive

I imagine being on top of a podium

I feel no pain and I feel happy

I touch my gold medal

I worry about losing to my opponent

I cry if I get pin in the center of the circle

I am determined and aggressive

I understand it won’t be easy

I say I won’t make it easy for anyone to finish me

I dream of going all the way

I try to do my best and fight to the top

I hope to not disappoint my family and coaches

I am determined and aggressive

 

I hop off the bus

I land on a tower

I soon get my gun

Then I acquire more power

More people are eliminated

One by one they go

No sorrow, no mercy you must show

Headshot, he’s been eliminated 

I am too good, I am the most hated

I use the double pump i’m ready and equipped

I must move stealthily I must keep my mouth zipped

I kill the last man leaving me with greater morale

I have done it, I have achieved victory royale

I am from the flowers blooming in the garden

Gorgeous, beautiful, and smelling so sweet

I am from the flower

That just bloomed

I’m from the family parties and a loving family

From Janice and Edwin

I’m from “Did you do your best” and “Always make good choices”

The amazing and loving parents that are always there for me

A busy mom with two kids and a full time job

My dad always working to give me and my sister everything we want

I’m from the Caribbean

From Ponce, Puerto Rico

I’m from empanadillas, and tostones

From a family who moved to California from Puerto Rico

For my sister and I to have a better education

The amazing life I have today all thanks to my parents 

From Cookie Crisps and chicken strips

I am from the dust on my desk, the dusky dirty mesh

I am from mangifera, margarita, o sweet saturday maple syrup

Log Cabin on the log table, the logged forest is now a stable 

I'm from vengalas on Christmas Eve and serviceful by the need

From Cesars and Alejandros

I'm from Wednesday of Ashes and meals after crosses

From ‘’Don’t touch that, it’ll burn’’ and ‘’You can’t play until it’s your turn’’

I'm from cross, from the ashes

I'm from National City, a Franco Arredondo 

From the times when my tio would not come home, late by hour, only to return covered in his blood, and the foulness of his fists. What he will do, and what he did, reflected upon and atoned for his sins: And now he’s out there, feeling better; his open heart and open mind open more hearts and make others cry; cry tears that were due but were not cried, these people he talks to, he saves their lives, for he is not the he that he was no longer. 

The huge burden my prima had to bear,

The family pictures I saw as a kid in the 3 ring binders at my grandma’s are no longer the same faces, for they’re no longer just smiles, there’s pain beneath the surface; and while we have yet a lot to uncover, there is lots that has been dug up; and it is just the start of it, the start of frank love in the family. 

I wonder where I will be in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years

I hear the voice of the future

I see my happiness and where life takes me

I want this to be true

I am curious and happy

I pretend that time isn’t passing by so fast

I feel the truth, like a force pushing on

I touch the past, as the present moves on

I worry about missing the good moments in life

I cry about the present passing by too fast

I am curious and happy

I understand the truth, and how the present moves on

I say how sad it is

I dream that these days will remain forever

I try to experience everything to the fullest

I hope that I can experience all the good things in life

I am curious and happy

I am quiet and sad

I wonder what the future would take hold of me

I hear a crow cackle

I see darkness

I want to see some light in my life

I am quiet and sad

I pretend to be happy with myself

I feel a cold touch

I touch a dark cloud

I worry for my happiness

I cry for my loved ones

I am quiet and sad

I understand you care for me

I say that I loved you

I dream to be with you forever

I try to be someone you can feel proud of

I hope we will be together one day

I am quiet and sad

 

 
 

I am from Poem

I am from tilted towers 

Land get a gun, now I have powers 

I make stairs to the attic 

To get a big chest 

In order to be the best 

I am from the clustered city

I am from a culture of winning 

I am from a family of never giving up

From ar to scar 

To get a victory royale 

The scar whom I cherish 

Will carry me all the way

To the victory I made

 

I am here in the world as a student

But the future of my life is becoming scary

I am doing my best to be prudent

And I’m taking this to be entirely arbitrary.

The future holds many options

But those options can be helpful or deceitful

And we get those by taking action

Or by being peaceful.

Becoming an adult is a major jump

With many ups and downs.

They can hit us like speed bumps

And they can be major shutdowns.

By becoming an adult we can find things

And learn different experiences.

It is like pulling strings

And with its similarities and differences.

I am ready to become an adult

And I am ready to see the result.

I am From

I am From the late night parties that floods my childhood

From the Ghettos and the slums

I am from the homies studio, lively, yet lax, with loud R&B and Rap

I am from the backyards small garden, which filled the air with the scent of lemongrass and fresh mint

I am from lunar new year’s gambling and risk takers

From uncle Tape, and uncle odie

I’m from the Drinking and partying

From never bending down for anyone and getting back up no matter how hard they beat you

I'm from the cross and the buddha, I carry both a buddha and a bible 

I'm from San Diego  the family's from lao’s and the philippines

From Pho, and Sinigang

From the cold blooded murder of  tape

From the smashed windows and doors

From my family tree going back many generations

From the studio in our backyard

I am from music,

From notes and rhythms.

I am passionate.

To music and more.

I am from a famous plant

The rose

Lovely sight, painful touch.

I am from anger and stubbornness 

From Moises and Minerva

I am from strength and will

From father and uncle

I am from Chula Vista

From filipinos 

From Adobo, Litchon

From the countless tracitions

From when my dad hurt his leg in boot camp.

From my brother’s return

The kindness of my mother,

In a drawer

Filled with old faces and new ones alike

And one lost to us.

No longer with us

As he live a new life up above.

I am from those days

Those times,

To who I am now.

 

From TYR and Vanquisher

I am from the Northeast 

From snow and ice 

Cold you feel in your bones 

throughout summer

I am tsunami of

Strength and wisdom growing daily

Generations of music has echoed the halls of homes 

From Ireland to America

Ringing of joy and sadness

From daddyjack and the gambles

I’m the big shoulders to cry on

Arms to hug- protect -serve

Attitude of gratitude

An accepting and forgiving spirit

The Church of England 

Kneeling standing sitting

kneeling standing sitting

Corn and asparagus growing in the garden

Sheep and geese roaming the field

Grampy a middle school science teacher

 amateur weatherman

Daddyjack who never finished high school

30 year coalmining vet

Best athlete in town 

I am a great-grandson from across the water

Now living and thriving by the sea

From running outside and finding wood sculptures

I am from the kiss on my head before bedtime, the warm, loving hugs every morning 

I am from the frost on the the glistening trees

Yo soy de la cocina donde las arepas son cocinando, the strong headed ones

Though, I’m also from her, the one who couldn’t let go of her habits

The one that abused her own life and let her pitiful life seep into those she gave life to

From, "she’s the one who brought you into this world" and "but I’m the one who gave you love"

I’m from god though many say I’m not, because I am not perfect in their eyes

I am from the mixture of Caracas and Houston

I’m from the tamales Venezolanas and the baked beans 

I’m from one who traveled over the sea and one who traveled on the sea 

The two who couldn’t understand each other but still fell in love   

from antique and new

I am from mud tracks by the front door

(hardened, molded patterns, the ground outside was never dry)

I am from dark cherry trees

whose branches would extend far enough to block the sunlight from coming directly into the living room

I am from military bases and traveling throughout Europe

from two loving parents and a role model of a brother

I’m from respect and determination

from Always tell the truth! And Do your homework before anything else!

I’m from alter serving during Sunday mass services and Our Father who art in heaven

I’m from Compton to Florida

Mexican to Puerto Rican descent

tamales to pernil

from my parents leaving their hometowns to join the marines, distance themselves from chaos

and unknowingly find each other

the court where they got married when they were still teenagers

In my mom’s closet is a bag full of photo albums and miscellaneous photos 

taken from disposable cameras

I am from these memories

including the days before I came into the picture

showing me what life was like when my parents struggled to put food on the table

and reminding me to be grateful for what I have.

From performing onstage and swinging in mango trees.

I am from the “Old House” residing on Na'ulu Street;

Ancient, yet hectic and abundant with stories.

I am from the Chico trees,

Which sprout sweet brown fruit from its strong branches, satisfying my taste buds.

I’m from late-night karaoke sessions and fasting for twenty-one days;

From the Acruz’s and Damo’s.

I’m from the ongoing importance of education and family travels around the world,

From, “Ay nako!”” and “Mahal na mahal kita.”

I’m from a reborned Christian family, where rules are strict yet we know how to let loose.

I’m from the island of Oahu, yet the ones before me were birthed from Ilocos Norte and Cebu;

Remembering the pancit that gave me a longer life, and the lechon that is best served with all-purpose sauce.

I am from the man who left the bakery to serve the country to give me a better life,

And the woman who left her hometown behind at twelve years to find herself.

The scrapbooks under the television hold moments captured by the cameras,

Yet they are no match for the long film I’ve been capturing with my two brown eyes for the past sixteen years.

It means strong warrior 

I am from large families and  

I fight for my glory 

I am he who never backs down 

I train for my honor and success 

I achieve greatness for those who have taught me

I am the result of their teachings and my own mistakes 

I create my own legacy and leave my mark 

From hardcovers and soft;

I am from the two story house of five

Big and comfortable, and nice fake grass green backyard.

I am from trees

Growing and learning over time 

I’m from game night and impatience 

From Kimberly and Francisco

I’m from the tendency of impatience and organization

From curious and smart

From the cross and christ

I am from San Diego and Noda

From keeping your guard up and working hard

I am from the East coast

Hot, humid, rainy- unknown weather

I am from citrus fruits

Fields of orange trees sprouting in the sunshine state

I’m from long road trips and making memories

From Milian and Vasquez

I’m from the trips to Guatemala and helping grandma in the kitchen

From “saluda primero” and “no salgas afuera sin chanclas”

I’m from loyalty, a christian family who’d never miss a sunday at church

I’m from Richmond, Virginia and strong ancestors who worked hard to make it somewhere in life

Enchiladas, tamales, pozole

From the man who risks his life everyday just lay food on the table and keep a roof over my head

The man who may not always be home but reminds us on the daily how much he loves and misses us

From never being able to fully unpack because next thing i know, it’s time to go on the move 

I’m from not having a place to call home but knowing home is where the heart is.

I wonder… How i'll act in the future

I hear… family talking at the dinner table

I see… cousins, aunts, uncles and parents bonding

I want… to stay close to family and go to college

I am… caring and adventurous 

I pretend… I can complete my goals everyday

I feel… like I can accomplish goals

I touch…. a piece of my childhood

I worry… my goals will never be accomplished 

I cry… when I hold all my emotions in

I am... caring and adventurous 

I understand… I cannot be perfect

I say… try your best everyday and live up to your own expectations 

I dream… that I could do the things I put my mind to 

I try… to make others proud

I hope… I never disappoint 

I am… caring and adventurous 

From Dove and Suavecito

I am from the region of SoCal

Soothing winds and comforting heat on my skin

I am from four-leaf clovers in the field

Laying in a patch of green in elementary

I am from annual holiday photoshoots and dark brown eyes

From Florante Rodil and Remedios Deleon

I am from the bare feet & socks in the house

and cooking Filipino cuisines

From “Tarantado ka!” and “Matigas ng ulo mo!”

I am from a Christian family,

Passionately-driven, but never too strict

I am from San Diego and the Philippines

Sopas and Sisig

From the after-school drives

to fast-food adventures with my Lolo

The smoky, savory smell of my Lola’s Chicken Adobo

I still see the family portraits and childhood memories

All around the brown & grey-painted walls of my house

They capture the most precious moments in time

That you may never experience again

Cherish the now and Dream better of the later

From Anastasia Beverly Hills and Eylure

I am from the Asian household, interesting smells and rice

I am from white roses

The scent i always try to mimic to smell like

Im from the fresh green tea in front of the drawing portrait and funny jokes,

from Dora to Yae,

Im from the “ shimete “ to “ onaka suita “

I’m from buddhism and a hint of God

Im from sasebo and the successful business of someone ive never met,

Ramen , Ochazuke.

From the 18 hour plane ride with my mom to japan,

The smile on my grandma michiko’s face

The closet with different bags and books of me when i was little,

When i was the “big sister” to my little brother and felt as a big deal.