Becoming and Belonging

I'm from Mac & Cheese on the roof

From icebreaking with a lie and two truths

Building life again for the 7th time I moved

A preacher and an angel readied the world to improve

I'm from a bed made up of blankets on the floor

From water in my cereal but I never felt poor

I'm built on pride that comes from an island of survivors

Liberators & Warriors built a man who isn't either

I'm from taunts like mudskin

Mama telling me I am strong

How do you find where you belong

When being in the room feels wrong

How do I become

Someone

That honors where I'm from?

The answer isn't in some book or even a degree

Not in the mind, but deeper in your body

You stand out

Don't try to fit in

To filter your thoughts is to dim the light within

You can touch

So many with your soul

Honor your roots by being all that you know

Ensure your expression

Never suffers suppression

Only by being your authentic self can you honor where you're from

Allow the mud that has built you to connect your roots to your tongue