I am from dirt fields, freshly plowed hay, and cotton-candy skies,

From a central valley that encloses all the surrounding land.

I am from a place that feeds the rest of the world—do Grimway carrots mean 

anything to you?

I am from grape-picking

tractor riding

and Saturday breakfasts around the table.

I am from Amatchi and Aitatchi, 

And other Basque words that I do not speak. 

From the old china

Antique white, brown, and floral patterned,

And clear frosted coffee mugs.

I am from “Oh Heavens” and “Be good.”

I am from gasna and pickled tongue 

Shaved in thin slices.

From oxtail soup, linguica, and blood sausage

Made with my grandfather’s own hands.

I’m from the yellow house, the one on the corner, 

at the end of the cul-de-sac,

The one with the big tree

That greets you all the way down the street. 

Outside was yellow stucco and green trim

Inside were warmth, comfort, and 🤬 carpet. 

I’m from summer nights with no curfews:

I am from small town conversations,

From a name that no one and everyone knew.

Ermigarat.

I am from the house that built me— Small, cozy, and familiar —

and made its lasting mark.

From under or oversized thrifted clothes and cheap colorful silverware 

I am from glass doors that reflect at night and the smell of home

I am from plum blossoms that bloom in spring

The daisies whose long gone bushes- I remember as if they were my own.

I am from homemade sugar cookies and yearly cherry pie

From two jobs and games all day

I am from guessing games and 31 number laying on cards

And from camping trips with grandpa that make life long memories

I am from “good jobs” and “do betters”

And “ I wish I had a million dollars”

I am from Mario kart races to distract our minds

I am from California and Illinois

Cinnamon rolls and banana bread

From moving far from home and meeting new people

Trapping themselves in and not successfully leaving

Weeping hearts and glass houses that were really mirrors
Willow figures and see through animals

Tabby cats and flower types

Printed memories and idle figures

Around my room and in my heart

I am from the rail road tracks that would lead you upon miles and miles of open land, Where travelers and traders would come and go .

I am from a Traditional Spanish speaking home but yet I cannot learn, reading and writing was my time to shine, understanding all the words at once. It was my Pursuit, but yet I did not take the time.

 I'm from The tradition that every Sunday you'll hear the old songs of the 60s through the 80s to the Ben.  e. Kings- “ stand by me” to Zapp and Rogers- “I want to be your man”

Im  from  where you can take the summer nights past midnight when the weather Just Hits right, and the clock's hands strike midnight tonight. were you able to go to families houses feel welcome.

 I am from a little place on 6th Street, where we would appreciate the visit you could stay as long as you want as long as you're comfortable. a house from 1955 what's the most comfortable place to be in the neighborhood.

 I am from where the wood could tell you a story and you'll be shocked with interest, learning its history would be a mystery. as taking the time would only make it right, trust me I tried and stayed up past midnight. but sadly we had a rest and say good night.

This is were i am from so i wish you a good night as well we can make things feel right

walking down the path loggers walked years before,

a vast and breathtaking place,

 full of trees older than the town down the road.

A small town full of history and stories, 

built by the hands of hard workers

and people who never knew the meaning of the words give up.

I am from the coast 

where the smell of salt water was all around, 

where the sound of the waves crashing into the packed beaches is all you could hear.

I am from my grandfather's playground,

 a place enhanced tenfold by my imagination.

I am from people before me who never stopped fighting for what they believed in,

people who I never met but I knew very well.

I am from places I’ve never been but I could picture in my mind.

I am from a love of nature and animals,

I am from reckless bravery and the belief that I could do anything.

I am from the one-story house in the middle of a small neighborhood I can barely remember,

where I learned to hit a baseball and ride a bike.

The house where I met my dog, my oldest friend.

I am from the back yard where I chased my imagination 

while my dad tried to mow the lawn.

I am from the movies my dad showed me when i was sick,

movies that told stories I could never imagine.

I am from the past and sometimes I wish to go back.

Which only contains 124,442 

I am from being surrounded 

By grape vines and orange trees 

 

I am from orange trees to grape vines 

I am from the fig tree in the backyard 

To the palm tree whose long gone limbs 

and I remember as if they were my own.

 

I am from a Hispanic family 

I am from Mom and Dad parting ways To having 2 families 

I am from grandma and Grandpa who only spoke Spanish

 

I am also from a law enforcement family 

I am from Dad Cavazos   working long shifts

I am from Mom Cavazos working at the courthouse and the jail 

to hosting K-9 events and child safety fairs 

 

I am from moving from a small town to a big city 

I am from moving middle schools 

to moving high schools 

To be closer with family 

 

I’m from eating tamales every Christmas 

and opening one gift on Christmas eve from Mom and Dad 

I’m from eating at my grandparents house every Sunday

 I am from going on a trip every break from school 

and from visiting Visalia every year 

 

I’m from being called bone head

To being told if you lied on a pinky promise then your pinky would get chopped off 

I am from dirt on my boots- Jon Pardi 

To friends in low places - garth brooks

I am from tamales and grilled chicken

I am also From Grandpa Castillo who had the same routine every Saturday

and was always wearing a plaid button up with blue jeans and cowboy boots,

 

I am from playing baseball for 9 years 

And i am from wrestling for 4 years 

To a broken collar bone and to a sprained wrist 

 

I am from 

Mom Cavazos  

Dad Cavazos   

Dad Castillo 

Grandma Castillo 

Grandpa Castillo 

from bats and balls 

That hit the walls

From the volleyball court

Which so happens to be my favorite sport

I'm from 6’4” and 5’10” 

Were all athletic and tall 

I’m from the cold morning sports tournaments and delicious cookouts

I am from the big white house on the block 

There lies a beautiful family of six 

With the big tree whose leaves no longer remain 

just branches and sticks 

I’m from hold your head high and stand tall

And from only god and judge me

I’m from a family filled with faith 

I am from the late night prayers on my bed 

Praying for strength in my head

I’m from the hispanic descent

deriving from my hispanic culture

From savory mexican dishes and huge family gatherings

I'm from the little mirror on the wall 

Look through and see a it all 

There is one beautiful soul 

Whose heart is nothing but whole 

 

I am from model cars-Coupes, Corvettes, Chevys,

 

From a room full of thousands of Legos and colorful playdough.

 

I am from a big house on the corner in the court with a crystal-clear pool,

and morning smells of chocolate chip pancakes.

 

I am from the bamboo plant in my window.

 

I am from the tall redwood tree in my front yard which has been cut down, 

 

and the annoying oak leaves that I have to pick up every Fall.

 

I am from smokey barbecues on the weekends and loud and cheerful people,

 

From a hard-working father and a nurturing mother.

 

I am from procrastinating about homework and Friday night movies,

 

From cheesy pizza Saturdays to early-bird bike rides on Sundays.

            

I am from “Be kind and caring” and “Never let anyone decide who you are”,

 

and “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”.

 

I am from regular sport nights - boxing, football, baseball and basketball.

 

I am from Carmichael, California, England, the Philippines, 

and from the cheesiest macaroni and cheese.

 

I am from both of my great-grandfathers fighting in the wars and surviving, 

but dying young. 

I am from my one of my grandfather’s luck charms that hangs on my door whose 

 

yellow feathers protect me from evil spirits.

 

 

from  dishes and cleaning 

I am from the little tan house     

and  air fresheners on every outlet 

I am from the aloe plants on the doorstep

The beautiful bush whose long gone pink petals I remember as if they were my own.

I’m from baptisms before one and first communion at ten

from mother plus father and the two annoying brothers 

I’m from conformations and quinceañeras 

and from christmas on the 24th at 12am sharp 

I’m from elbows off the table and who gave you permission for that

to spanish music on Sunday mornings 

I’m from the rosca de reyes 

I’m from Santa Clarita, LA

and  a mexican household 

sopes and enfrijoladas 

From she's going to college 

To she’ll be the first with a degree

To polaroids at the river 

Pasted into photo books 

And engraved to memories 

Hernandez’s and Carrera’s all in one heart 

every hour on the hour, 

and roses that line the house. 

From a place built with love from my grandpa,

to hand made picnic table to the rock wall it resides by. 

I am from 80's wood paneling 

 to yellow and orange wallpaper 

next to it, with a citrus smell I recall.

I am from the gardenias next to the walkway.

The blue spruce which has now grown 10x its size 

of when it was first planted. 

To homemade bread my great grandma 

used to make by hand. 

I am from with no family tradition in sight.                           

From my mom who loves me with all her might

my grandma who has always supported me 

 through difficult times. 

I’m from ¨always us your manners¨ and ¨ sit straight¨.

To a place two generations have lived at.

Yet it feels like I'm from nowhere in sight. 

From cinnamon rolls and pancakes.

I am from the comfort of a gas fireplace,

and my mom’s floral perfume.

I am from the red roses and the maple trees. 

The tall tree swing that I always swung in all day whose long gone limbs 

and I remember as if they were my own.

The beautiful flower garden I remember them as if It were my own.

I’m from hard-working and loving.

From my mom and my dad.

I’m from the Pashtoon tribe and Nawroz celebrations,

and from my family tree.

I am from bunk beds,

and sharing a room with my little sister.

I’m from “hard work pays” and “Life's tough”,

And I say  ”never give up” to myself and my little siblings.

I’m from the great feast of Eid-Al-Fitr

like the color of silver in the night sky,

the new moon rises, 

the holy month has past.

I’m from the beautiful Afghanistan, 

A Land that was never conquered by 

any of the world’s superpowers.

A landlocked mountainous territory contains,

 glaciers and deserts also 4  seasons. 

Defeat British and become independent in 1919,

 with 99.9% Muslim population. 

Dumplings and churros are my favorites.

From my beloved cat Cookie

Who I love more than anything.

Who ran away from home when I was at the age of seven.

Proud of being an educated girl taking quality education and enhancing skills comparatively 

for a great task and achievement. 

This is me from all those happy and sad moments, That made me the person that I am today.

A reflection of myself, and my heart to which I listen 

I am from the small and worn down

From the popcorn ceilings to the picture that’s hung tilted

I am from the scent of chocolate chip cookies and vanilla bean 

This house that wakes me up early in the morning 

brings bags to my eyes

And the reflection of myself is unsure about 

Her mind 

Her soul

Her Identity 

I am from the gatherings and reunions 

With a family of Polynesian descent

I am from traditional dances and  J Boog

And relatives with an Australian or New Zealand accent

I am from artistic geniuses, with music coursing through me

I am from families that only birth 5 children or more

And saying “You're my cousin” to every poly I see

I am from my bedroom where I pray and confide in God

My mind and body ask Him for guidance and strength

I am from He who risked it all and gave us everything to a great length

I am from the reflection of myself who is unsure of who she is

She is still finding herself and learning more about life

She is Liz

White stucco and the main window

Letting the wonderful light in 

Filled with warm love and laughter

Mom, Dad, and me

Happy as could be 

I am from the wide variety of beautiful roses

Pink, yellow, white, even tie dye

Delicate petals soaking up the warm sunshine

Protective thorns so sharp they could draw blood

An army of purple irises 

Surrounding and standing tall

I am from the trips to Grandma’s house

Just down the street

Aromas of the perfectly seasoned meal ready to eat

Papa in the recliner

Grandma on the couch 

Ready to hear the exciting stories we have to talk about

I am from the long road trips to Washington

Camping in the yurt

Starting the warm campfire 

David in the dirt

Breathtaking orange beach sunsets 

Filling our lungs with crisp sea air 

Oh how good it feels to be there

 from 8 different restaurants from everywhere

 a old dusty dishwasher 

that barely works

From spring cleaning all year long and fall candles

I am from late night bike rides around my neighborhood

Good old days, when I didn't worry

From big easter egg hunts in the backyard

I am from an old family home and thin walls

The smell of pine needles and eucalyptus 

fills my heart with comfort, thoughts of home

I am from the jade plant

standing alone on the porch

Only needing a little water, surviving on its own

The tall dead tree in the yard 

my siblings would swing from

Whose long gone hollow branches 

I remember as if they were my own

I am from easter squirt gun fights and stubbornness

From and father who tried to be his best and a mother who never put me first

I am from silent dinners and pretending arguments didn't happen

long, tense road trips

I'll remember the tension in the air forever

I'm from ¨stop being sensitive¨ and ¨its how I show my love¨

And my mom singing jingle bells til I fell asleep

From traveling in the middle of summer to visit people we never see and being the perfect family for the time being

I am from making caramel popcorn balls for thanksgiving and baking pies for the holidays

From showing up to holiday dinners 5 hours late

I am from the city of trees and a page on ancestry.com 

From rock fights in the front yard 

Kids in the house, unfazed

Old movies tickets and pictures of the last time our family was together

At the top of my closet

Collecting dust 

Never to be touched again

 The island of Jamaica where the  folks love each other, take care of each other. A jamaican culture mi come from, where the island is blessed with such beauty. Where the sea is loyal blue. Where the midday sun smiles gracious at you. To cover you whole and make all your dreams come through. Blessed with such beauty greatness abounds in you. Great vegetation springs from your hands, with coconut trees are tall and plenty where the rivers flow gently down the stream. A Jamaica culture mi come from, native expressions draw life’s demand. The towering blue mountains give a majestic stance. The dunn's river where the waterfall, every race gives grace to see the place, near to my heart, my island in the sun. The food is good cooking rice n peas and jerk chicken every Sunday.

and walking down the neighborhood together . 

From a Future basketball player. 

I am from Jamaican cultures. 

I'm from Sacramento, Thomas’s family,

 walking to school in uniforms, 

and cleaning and cooking everyday. Jamaica beaches

I am from  the albums

and adding pictures to show future generations. 

I am from quiet and small neighborhoods, and eating oxtail

Soup and chicken and rice. 

With parents who lived on islands in

little board houses. 

Who strive for greatness within us all knowing right from wrong.

I am from traditional Jamaican culture learning the languages and speaking like

I am one of them. I am from 90’s reggae music and the 00's R&B songs like

Alicia Keys, “If I Ain't Got You”, and Beyonce, “Crazy In Love”.

I’m from being out all day, enjoying life how it should be, just gotta be home before 

the street lights are off by midnight.

I'm from taking trips to the beach, playing in the sand and enjoying the moment.

Together in jamaica. We played soccer or went swimming in the ocean.

I’m from Sacramento River

 enjoying the boat ride while the fresh air is hitting my face 

continually, see excitement on my brother face as we get further from shore and farther 

in the ocean seeing the other boats along us. 

I am from turning mistakes into life lessons and looking back and reflecting 

how the situation is a part of me, turning me into a Jamerican family being progressing through life. 

 I’m from a motivational household where “if you want to do good your nose will have to run” 

perseverance,

persistence,

 From facing any obstacles that are blocking me, from achieving greatness in myself and others.

I am from a big house with a big pool and cold hardwood floors.

I am from under the palm tree where we played football 

and the blacktop where we played basketball.

I am from the white and blue walls.

I am from grandma's house on christmas eve and thanksgiving 

From cousins and siblings.

I am from presents and turkey

I am from respect and manners  I am from treating others the way you want to be treated. I am from playing white elephant every year.

I am from the big mountains of Colorado 

and i am irish 

I am from taco soup and lots of steak. I am from a family of a mom, dad, brother, and sister.

I am from a family that likes to argue and fight.

But I am also from a family that is family first.

I am from the pictures my family has hung on the walls for the past 16 years.

Small but nice

I am from the tomatoes in my backyard.

The park near my home

Whose games I remember

As if they were my own.

I am from basketball and 

From my father and mother

I'm from chaos and laughter

And from caring.

I am from where life is unfair

I am from giving presents on Christmas.

I am from Sacramento 

The old pictures

On the wall

with the heart of our family.

in a quiet little town.

I am from the small fields

where I learned to play ball.

I am from the silent streets

where I learned to ride a bike.

I am from where the sun rises in the East

and sets in the West.

I am from personal fitness

and healthy nutrition.

I am from a family of hard-workers

both young and old.

I am from early mornings

and long days.

I am from a big caring family

with hearts made of pure gold.