Where I’m from

I am from town homes,

from busy streets and calm parks.

I am from streets filled with children,

(Whose laughter fills the air.)

I am from the blood of my ancestors,

who have led me here today,

as if for a reason.

I’m from cheesesteaks with “whiz”

and onions, from Geno’s and Pat’s

I’m from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids with a

laugh and a lesson in there too.

I’m from brotherly love, and sisterly grace.

I’m from Hip-Hop and Rap, with a twist of

soul, just trying to be myself.

I’m from Cee Lo and Kanye from f*** you and e.t.

From the sounds in my life, to the ones in yours, they will be great if you listen.

In the closet there was a box, with old books and papers, a page with no words,

a chapter without a name,

I am from those times and places – never to stay or go,

just a man in his thoughts, wanting to go back.

This poem was penned by Sam (age 13) using a copy/change exercise from the original Where I’m From poem by George Ella Lyon. April is National Poetry Poetry Month. If your child has a poem to share, we’d love to publish it.

NW Philly Parents is a partnership between Newsworks and Germantown Avenue Parents.