I am from the place where the sea is close
I am from Virginia, the state where I lived the first fifteen years of my life
From houses with big yards of green
Smelling like the fresh cut grass when I came home
From small apartments that my family made home
Hard to play outside, but fun without trying
From reading all day to designing new clothes
Always need a new sketchbook or book when done
I am from creating my own art, my own jewelry
Using my laptop for new ideas
From fighting with Jacquel, Amir, and Jalil
Always fighting, but always loving each other
From cooking breakfast with mom
Smiling with her as we made pancakes or what we want on that day
From watching football and basketball with dad
Screaming when our team, booing when they lost
From sleeping in on Saturday, but waking up early on Sunday
Partying on Friday knowing the next two days is to rest
I am from driving around to place to place
Each place close to each other
I am from baking cakes to cookies to pies to anything sweet
Eating those sweets I bake with my friends
I am from learning new things
Like to dance and to sing
From fixing the old and making it new
From cooking southern food with my granny
Putting the yams in the oven or watching the chitterlings on the stove
From fried chicken or fried pork chops served with fried apples
The grease popping after dropping the meat
From freshly baked rolls and homemade sweet potato pies
The kitchen feeling like a sauna from the oven's heat
From cold Decembers, Januarys, and Februarys
A little snow during the months
From warm weather with a gentle breeze
When it's September, October, and even November
From rain when March and April come by
Sunshine and hot weather as May, June, July, and August roll into the year
I am from Virginia, the state where I lived the first fifteen years of my life
