I am the color of my skin
That is rich in melanin
I am the coils of my hair
Which makes other people stare
I am my love for sweets
Because something sugary just can’t be beat
I am my ancestors
Who were stripped from their homeland
I am
My love for all things poetry
I am my love for animals
Who have never bothered me
I am my love for the water
Though stereotypes say I shouldn’t know how to swim
I am my love for music
Not held down by one genre
I am my love for history
Learning about the people who came before me
I am my love for seafood
That I’ve been eating since I was two
I am
The home cooked meals my family makes
Filled with love and laughter
And family traditions
I am the warm summer air of June
Since I was born right in the middle of it
I am my love for art and photography
Though I’ll never be famous for it
Lastly
I am
Filled with the spirits and knowledge of those who came before me
So I can forge my own path
And become who
I am
Meant to be
