I am from garbage trucks invading the streets, bringing young ones to the window. I am from the hum of the washer bleeding into layered daydreams. I am from charcoal painted on eyelids. I am from opinions stronger than the smell of coffee. I am from bones deep in closets, buried by golden memories. I am from the honey sweet songs mama whispers. I am from the deadly faces of strangers and the suffocation of opinions spewed as facts. I am from the smoothest jazz to the heaviest rock. I am from books with plastic casings stacked high in the grass on a sunny day. I am from every word or statement I have ever heard to ever word or statement I will ever say. I am from late night fires with sweet tea, the song of the night, and the light of the stars. I am from the soft smell of a baby's head to the feeling of thick smoke filling tired lungs. I am from the denial of death to the hesitation of life. I am from smooth rocks under bare feet to cold, harsh rain stinging sun-dried skin. I am from strength and weakness. I am from me to you. That is where I am from.