I am from poverty.
I am from sleepless nights,
hoping that my mom lives on.
I am from the news of my brother's death.
I am from being molested as a child.
I am from not knowing my father.
I am from living on the streets of Amsterdam,
trying to make it on to the next day.
I am from standing outside the park,
dreaming of being able to play stress-free.
I am from selling my body as a teen 
to scrap up enough money for food.
I am from countless beatings.
But most importantly, I am from God.