Where I’m From
I am from stuffed closets
from rocking chair and artwork.
I am from Ana Cultiva Manzanas/Apple Farmer Annie
teddy bears and dolls.
I am from spring bounce horse and cars.
I am from portraits and salsas,
from tazas and laundry.
I am from cd’s and vhs,
From guitars, pianos, saxophones.
I am from singers.
I am from borders
from overcrowded city y la Basilica
I am from every tree covered in moss,
from plum, and apple trees
that have served as play toys.
I am from rivers,
from endless corn fields and la casa azul.
from mountains,
coyotes and birds singing.
I am from mis abuelitos y el loco de tu Papa
from the co-op candles and lots of tea.
I am from sis, bebe, and la mina.
I am from if you can’t say something nice then don’t say it at all
from No hay mal que por bien no venga
and Viejos los cerros y reverdecen.
I am from diaries
from dinners, videos
and pictures that I refuse to stop taking.
I am from storytellers
that connects our story to the present.
-Oriss Acevedo
From Linda Chirstensen, 2001 “Where I’m From. Inviting Students’ Lives Into the Classroom.” Rethinking our Classrooms. Teaching for equality and Justice. Vol 2.
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