Shakia1

                    I Am

I am from Pigtails
From boxbraids and cornrows
I am from sitting on the stoop
Watching the pigeons look for food

I am from the rosebush
The tall pine
Who like myself are beautiful,
Protective,and strong

I am from bananas and eyeglasses
       From Antoine and Blair
I�m from the wanna-bees
        And have it alls
From stuck up to fed up
I�m from an 80�s baby
To a beautiful lady

I�m from Gravesend to Countrytime
From baked ziti�s to fried chicken
From the life my grandfather lost to the
   The struggle
The heart my forefathers showed to pave the way

In my closet is a bag
Overflowing with memories
Shades of faces I never knew
Beyond my dreams
I am from those shades, those faces
From past to present
     Another symbol of the family tree.