I Am From

I am from dust.

From cassette tapes and VHS.

I am from “the Land” - a dry hot dessert with majestic starry nights.

I am from Joshua Trees - beautiful and unique - serving as landmarks on the nameless desert streets.

I am from Eid breakfast after Ramadan and that inherited diastema.

From Katie Cook and Jessie Franklin.

I’m from brave explorers and community pillars.

From “Girl, put some shoes on or you’ll have big feet!” and “All the praying and fasting in the world won’t do you any good if you don’t treat people right.”

I’m from Islam as a choice. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim roots and family ties.

I’m from Abyssinian kings and stolen West African dreams.

Injera and collard greens.

I am from…

- An Unfinished Poem by Ahlmahz Negash