I teach a class called iConnect. Twenty girls and I tackled topics such as sex, substance abuse, nutrition, social issues, relationships -- you name it, it's all fair game.
During the first week of school, my girls wrote "I Am From ..." poems. Here are some excerpts that touched me:
---
From the story of how my mom came to the U.S.
and how she suffered here to get where she is now
---
I am from graffiti on the corner of
my street, spray can, art of
West Hollywood.
I am from palm trees and brushes,
blowing fresh air to refresh me
from the sun.
---
The handsome, sweet uncle who chose
my name while carrying me with a big
smile on his face at the hospital.
---
I am from cooking and going out
From cleaning my room and doing
good at school
I'm from going to church every
Sunday
---
I'm from East Los Angeles, Mexico and Spain,
Enchiladas, tamales, from the crazy uncle who made bad
choices and got into trouble. The grandpa who would tell stories
to his grandchildren. The boxes with photo memories and our hearts,
most important to not forget the ones we love.
---
The dad I haven't seen in years
pictures I have saved from the good memories left of him
Keeping them in a box where only I see them
to remind me he was once there for me.
---
I'm from the quiet mornings and lonely games.
From "Brush your hair" and "Wash your face"
I'm from churchless Sundays, and prayers at night
I'm from the country of cultures.
Sunday night carne asada, famous wings on Melrose
From the home where a father carried a
Sick newborn, and handled soiled diapers
The frame of a fragile body battling cancer
The box in a storage closet.
The memories that can never be relived.
---
I'm from posole
and tajadas here and there
from mama lupe and papa
ramon I'm from Quinceneras
and parties every weekend
I'm from Catholics and
Christian prayers.
I'm from days of hunger and
no where to sleep, where all
my both parents had was
tortillas and avacate from
the loud loving family
strong as a rock and
united forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment