A city full of colors and smiles,

The city of Pittsburg.

I am from a place not looked much on a map,

A city that isn’t crap or scrap,

But a city in which the sun shines and the train horns.

To the city outskirts, a lovely bay awaits,

To where you’ll see the water go beyond what the eye can see.

I’m from a family of workers and diligence,

From my mother and father, Elisa and Abel,

To My sisters Liliana and Mariana,

To finally my brother David.

From the dearest words of my mother,

Give the hardest you will,

When you reach a standstill, think what you wouldn’t,

Outside the box, you shall see.

I’m from a church of Catholics,

To where I did my first communion.

Born in Walnut Creek but wait.

My heart speaks,

Born there yes but forever home shall be Pittsburg,

To what I shall agree. 

My mouth salivates from the smell of tortas,

Then my tummy trembles at the sight of quesadillas.

To the lowest part of Mexico,

To then the states,

A treacherous journey my father proceeded through.

Going across a bridge is my mother,

Up up up she is.

Down the water yells and screams,

She mustn’t look at what fears her the most.

By Andrea Flores 

I am from layers of warm blankets

From computer screens and imaginary backyard kitchens 

I am from the San Lorenzo community, where all my friends grew up with me 

Friendly, funny, an area that allows for adventure to take place if your parents would ever allow it 

It’s small, yet large and appears larger than it could really be in your kid sized brain

I am from the big trees that caved in on the neighborhood 

The trees that leaves turn red, yellow, and green

I am from walking home with the streets and sidewalks filled with the evidence of changing seasons 

I am from arguing with my three sisters and complaining about my older brother 

From immigrants of a different world, sisters with different lives, and pets that come and go 

I’m from Napa every summer, and sleepovers at my cousins because my dad can’t drive home 

From do what you love when you grow up, and make good decisions always 

To you have to get a job that makes real money 

From going to church at four years old 

To never going to church again

I’m from baliadas in the morning to tajadas in the afternoon 

From a mother that works two jobs and and dad that works his 9-5 

I am from I’ll work hard to get where I can feel permanently peaceful and safe

And the memories that will accompany me throughout 

I am from the sweat that was once on my parents back 

It tasted like eggs, beans and rice every morning

 

I am from the Mountain, the sunflower

 That followed the sun even when it disappeared 

I’m from the bread with frijoles and the big part of the family 

From Luis Moran and Morena Moran and Noel 

I’m from the big people of the Moran’s and straight up attitude of the Aguilar bloodline

                                                                                                        

From being told to act more like a man and that I have no friends, only people I will forget

I’m from failing to finish CCD but still praying to someone above me to help inspire me

I’m from Redwood City California, but remember the waters from El Salvador

Pupusas and pastelitos

From the Great Noel who was able to take dents out of cars with his bare, rugged, callous hands

To the big Danilo who suffered with cancer silently so no one found out till the day he passed 

The picture that are on the wall that show my family’s life before and with me. 

I am from the dirt. Who was slowly being compressed into something greater.  All the pain I have to deal with, I wear it on my sleeves. The scars tell a story, one that only I can ever possess. I am Jose Ernesto Moran, and I have been living a life that only I will ever understand. 

 

I am from the Caribbean humidity, the warm salty water

And from the sound of chirping birds.

I am from the avocado tree,

From the palm trees and 

Seashells that are in the ocean.

I’m from the smell of rice and beans with chicken stew 

Being cooked by my Belizean mother,

From my Salvadorian dad who loves to talk

And my two little sisters.

I’m from spontaneous carne asadas 

And going to church on Sundays.

From “negrita” and “Echale ganas!”

I’m from baptist hymns sang by my loved ones 

I’m from deep East Oakland where people like to help each other

Where others see it as the “hood” or “the ghetto”.

I am from the old albums 

The pictures there as just old memories.

The cassette tapes to remind us how technology has evolved 

I am from immigrant parents who came to the U.S. for a better life.

I am Kaylee.  

I am from the birds singing in the big trees, and grandmother cooking with the embers of the fire each morning matchless. It felt unique.

I am from the flower, the Monja Blanca 

I’m from integrity and discipline. 

from Kirkland and Gildan

I am from the one-bedroom apartment 

Cramped, Wonderful 

I am from the (plant, flower, or natural item)Bellflower,

the Cherry blossoms that look beautiful when they bloom I’m from the lotería and speaking Spanish from Jose and Magda

and Bryan I’m from the loving animals and smiling faces.

From being kind to everyone and to always do your best

I’m from San Francisco and Guatemala,

Pepian and Hilachas.

From crossing the border and the broken arm from playing soccer.

Every one of my family members that came together in the living room for a picture for Christmas.   

Soy de raíces de tierra caliente donde ves montes secos

Y de tierras fértiles donde crecen las milpas muy altas

I am of parents from different Mexican 

backgrounds both born in Mexico City

A place where most enjoy visiting, but a different place for all that live there

I am of Ivy 

A plant that continues to grow

A plant that can be tamed and when given freedom, it grows

With water and sunlight, you can watch how one grows 

I am of Oak

A wood so versatile

From Oak, a pencil is made or even a house

Que estudiara para tener un mejor futuro

Y que trabajará duro para tener más que lo que me pudieron dar 

Fue lo que me han dicho mis padres 

I come from a country full of life and culture 
A country with 32 states each different that comes with unity
From foods that everyone likes
Mole and barbacoa to name some traditional dishes 
And others so common like Tacos and Sopes

Soy de musica

That type of music that makes your body groove through a Stereo 

Sounds that make me feel in CTRL and Isolation

From the West Side like Maria,

I’m In My Room, with The Devine Feminine,

I can spend hours laying, listening, and thinking

I come from strong family values of honor and truth

De ser respetuoso y humilde 

Lo que me han enseñado mis padres Arminda y Jesus 

Que nunca mire atrás y vuele muy alto 

Muy alto como las águilas 

from couches and blankets.

I am from the Quiet blue house with the brown porch and the white shed.

It felt calm and bright.

I am from the tree 

the Venus flytrap,

flashlight.

I’m from the Christmas in pajamas and brown eyes, 

from Julius and Vivian,

and Anna. 

I’m from the being loud at graduations and 

Calling people when it is their birthday

From enjoy your childhood and 

Never trust astranger

I’m from communion 

Sunday quire 

I’m from Philadelphia and Cameroon 

Fufu and Eru 

From the Barbeques where I used to play with my sisters in the backyard

the older sister moving to Atlanta

from The Family picture in front of the fireplace 

I am from a small town in the suburbs near Philadelphia. I am Terrell Ayamba Enoru an 18-year-old African-American computer science student who works at target and likes to listen to music in his free time. 

I’m from a land with water

Where the grass is greener

And the sounds of a rooster is your alarm clock

I’m from a family of hard work

Where we wake up early in the morning

And take the cows out to graze

The chickens to roam

And the pigs to feed

I am from a family of change

From staying in the countryside

To the big city in America

I’m from a beautiful culture

With amazing food

And amazing traditions

I am Chi

Not the greatest human to walk this earth

But a happy going kid

from mother’s picture and my stuffed animal 

the laughter that is release when we’re together and the gunshots in the night that makes me feel nervous

It sounded so calming 

I am from cactus that my father once found

the flower the grows on top the cactus which my mother loves 

the spiky and green 

I’m from the waiting to open presents at Midnight in December and my brown eyes from my mother

from Lourdes and Jose Luis 

and Maria de Rosario 

I’m from the eating together as a family and 

going on trips each December 

From “Chepe” and “Que no tiene Naglas” 

I’m from el Día de los Muertos 

when my family celebrate the lives that are no longer with us 

I’m from Oklahoma and Zapotlán de Rey 

I am tacos de Asada and Tacos Dorados de pollo. 

From the unique places where my mom and dad call home 

And my grandparents that lives in el Rancho

the beautiful Mexico where my tía is put to rest . 

in Oakland where my our family lives 

I am from a hometown called Zapotlán de Rey

I am kind

Friendly

And a helper

I am from many places 

I am Jose

from all in bloom and fertilizer 

Filled with joy, and accepting 

I am from the flower bush, 

Plain and simple, but bright and filled with color

Where the energy that you put out to the universe is the same that you get back

I’m from modesto and from Jalisco Mexico , 

the Tequila and the birria. 

And the house of my grandma that I call home in Mexico. 

I am from the memories I have of my Nino that I will cherish forever

From Jordans and Nikes

I am from the dark cave

(calm, creepy)

It sounded very dangerous

I am from the roses,

The dandelion 

It was green with a red stem and looked scary.

I am from pupusas and green eyes

From Nixon and Sofia

And Kristel

I am from the quietness

And the loyalty,

From stack or starve and do not give up.

I am from believing in God and having faith.

I am from Oakland and El Salvador

Pupusas and Bread with Chicken

From the tooth I lost biting into an apple

The time my dad fell into the pool

On my living room walls

Full of pictures from many years ago

Smiling faces, hugging and joyfulness

I am from a place that has to give respect to earn respect,

Fights very hard for their future and family.

from Amazon and Ali express 

I am from the flooded streets and packed sidewalks. 

It sounded like chaos, like home

I am from the sunflower 

the field of daises 

large, yellow, and beautiful 

I’m from the Eid gatherings, and curly hair and loud personalities.  

from Fayza and Faisal 

and Rahma 

I’m from the brown eyes and sharp features 

Tan skin 

From stubborn and passionate 

And loud 

I’m from Islam, 

The religion of peace 

I’m from the Middle East, 

Samosas and falafel. 

From the hustle of my grandparents who helped in the making of us all. 

The kids of two incredibly strong parents who also grew to become impatient. 

I am from the very village and city in Yemen where I was born alongside my family whom I haven’t seen in years, the very people who inspire me to work extra hard and be grateful. 

From Dawn and Folgers.

I am from the cobweb across the roof.

Dull, insipid.

It felt dull and looked insipid.

I am from the Canterbury bells, the snapdragons.

Bell-shaped petals.

I’m from the champurrado and aquiline noses.

From Pilo and Cheya, and Consuelo.

I’m from the argumentative and strict.

From buck up and nunca habla.

I’m from the burning bush, the two Testaments I can name.

I’m from Guadelajara,

Posole and tamales.

From the parchment dot that flew into my mother’s eye during a birthday party because of the piñata and a gust of wind to the coffee grounds my father uses to dry the cuts he gets from work.

Within the wooden cabinet that holds a collection of portraits that were taken before the meeting of my parents.

I am from the weight that squashes my still-poor lungs.

From VapoRub and Fabuloso 

I am from the house by the river that constantly gets painted a different color, filled with seven rooms and three bathrooms 

joyful , loving 

It felt like getting there took forever  

I am from indoor plants, 

wood

the soft and rough texture

I’m from staying up late until midnight to await December 25th and pointy noses 

from Tomas and Socorro

and Francisca

I’m from eating beans and potatoes for breakfast every morning and 

saying good morning and goodnight with a hug and a kiss in the cheek every day

From ponte trucha and 

I’m from going to church every Sunday, 

thanking God for another day alive and praying for the best

I’m from San Jose, California, Mexico and Spain,

beans and tortillas.

From being foolish and running toward the pig house to be the first one to arrive and end up sinking in pig poop and pig pee

the bravery of riding a bull bigger than you and dislocating your jaw. 

From mountains, cactuses, and thorn bushes 

I am from a Mexican family that has always supported me with many encouraging and motivational words and love

striving to accomplish many goals and help my community