I am just 1 generation removed from my Jamaican Heritage
USA is my country of birth yet Jamaican customs and traditions are woven into the fabric of I and I

The foods permeate my palate and set me apart from my American counterparts
Instead of chitterlings, collard greens, *** roast, & black eyed peas
I savor salt fish and banana, stew peas and rice and curry goat as my traditional meals.

I was born into my parent’s American dream
Straddling the fence meant I sometimes didn’t fit in

I don’t speak Patois yet the accent has painted my tongue
To feel so connected to a culture, yet so distant from its people
JAmerican is the name given to me.