Sydney-Elise Washington, age 16
Brockton High School, Brockton, Massachusetts

Where I’m From

You could say I’m from the small city that relies on the government’s money
The city of bullets, but you can’t dodge them, because they have your name
The birthplace of legends and champions
This is my home “town”
But I am from bright sunny days playing in the backyard
Bubbles floating in the air
Blowing dandelions and dancing in the rain
I am from floors scrubbed clean with Lysol and beds made with military precision
Girl scouts and cheerleading
Making funny faces on the window
I am from the bayous and the North Saskatchewan River
The island of Jamaica and islands of Cape Verde
I am pots overflowing with cachupa and pans of beef roti
I am a tiger lily bright and vibrant but with spots of darkness in life
I am communion on first Sunday and Bible study Thursdays 
Psalms 139:13-15 became my mantra
Sunday morning worship and afternoon prayer sessions
The branches of a maple stretching out to the sky is who I am
A beautiful fall and sunny spring
Desert summers and arctic winters
Book reports and vocabulary quizzes on Friday
I am from family dinners and taco night Fridays at nana’s
Thanksgiving meals made for an army because we are a smaller version
I’m from a deck of cards mainly the queen of hearts side
Because I fall easily