Where I'm From

I am from Basketball,

From Marathon and Sportline.

I am from the tamales inside the busy kitchen

(steamy, inviting, smelled of

Colombian pride).

I am from plucking clovers,

From blowing dandelion’s seeds,

Nature that just like the tides in the sea,

Changed direction,

Changed inspiration,

Changed me.

I am from arepas every Sunday

And long, lengthy, lean legs.

From Carolina and Nelly,

Doing everything my own way.

I am from the star students,

From responsible,

Successful ones.

From You Can Do Better and Erase It And Do It Again.

I am from rosaries with grandma,

From First Comunion with my uncle as the priest,

I am from knowing all the prayers,

That mom so carefully whispered to me,

Right after daddy said,

Buckle your seatbelts!

I am from Bogotá, San José, and Quito.

From Fritanga, tortillas and Locro.

I am from every little detail,

That once made me smile,

I am from that first thought,

That always pops in my head.

I do not come from,

One

Special place.

From its time to meet your grandfather,

(the one that left your grandmother)

A long time ago.

I am from one thousand

Family members,

Always sticking together,

Familia Granadilla.

No matter how many airports I visit,

I know my family when I see it.

I know their hugs, I know their kisses,

I know my family when I see it.

Because I love how we talk until

3am.

Because I love how we laugh about

what others say.

  

I am from people,

From the people I love,

From the people I hate,

Too.

And what I love the most,

Is that the thought of them

(their laughs, their compliments)

The thoughts of writing them this

Poem,

Makes my insides twirl,

Makes my heart ache,

Makes me crave for when I’ll return,

To where I am

From.