I am from broken bones, worn feet...
sweaty palms and new Nikes.
Nike gloves.
From a cul-de-sac, to call my own.
Aunts and uncles classified as neighbors
and from a home of love.

I am from generosity and compassion...
a family of equality and justice,
taught to have Christian morals no matter the consequence.
From a family of eight baby-faced people with deep-blue ocean eyes.
Relatives with birthdays from January through December
and from relatives giving breadcrumbs of their culture in family reunions.

I am from creating opportunities on the baseball diamond…
running and fielding ground balls,
my siblings creativeness showing off through bat-flipping and quick-hand drills.
From a seventh grade baseball championship winning team,
baseball championships won through quick-minded decisions of hearing the whistling of ball four
and from players who care about sportsmanship and respect of coaches through tight-gripped handshakes.

I am from broken windows, and broken bats…
smoking baseballs across the baseball diamond
one day having my shot cracked.
From broken bones and worn feet.
Sweaty palms and new Nikes.
Nike’ Gloves.