I Am From Poems

Students from:
Bloomfield High   ■   Plainfield High   ■    Windham High I
Windham High II    ■    Windham Tech

I am from
the Heartbeat, Hartford
the mean streets of
killing, drug dealing, and brawling
rather friend or foe, another person has fallen
sometimes it’s very often
got to go to a funeral and see another friend in his coffin.

I am from
a family of plenty
with different races
from Jamaica to Panama to the West Indies
many different places

— Hakeem, Bloomfield

I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t did y would I say I am
In newspaper they write every day I am
the radio won’t even play my jam

I am the world
I am the truth
I am the nicest baler
the radio still won’t play my jam

I am what the ladies want
What the NBA needs
And I will succeed
the radio still won’t play my jam

— Jerod

I am from a big family
where everyone has their own personality
we go through hardships and good times together
with a house filled with southern hospitality

I am from a loving family
with caring sisters and brothers
they’ll have my back no matter what
because family love is more important than any other

I am from great friends
who I’ve known since I was small
friends that are loyal with an open ear
friends who help me when I fall

I am from good teachers
who encouraged me to be all that I could be
teachers who helped me to do better
teachers who help me with the challenges that I will later see

I am from a background
with a history of pain and blame
so I believe that it’s my job
for the next generation to look up to my name.

I am from.

— Aprell

I am from
a home with just a mother to love me
a place where you chill and play all day
I am from

I am from
Friday night club hopping to
Saturday morning sleeping late
I am from

I am from
Sunday morning going to church to
Sunday night big dinners with family
I am from

I am from
Mondays, going back to school
Roaming the hallways and not paying attention
I am from

— Shantell

I am
of African descent
my tears
make the Euphrates flow

I am
the voice of the future
and the dream
of America

I am
composition
brought to life

— Sherese

I am from
     deep ocean and fruit-filled trees
     long walks along sand-filled path
I am from
     loose leaf pages filled with my thoughts
     caring kisses laid on my hurts
I am from
     holding hands and talks of love
     mothers touch and long good-byes
I am from
     cruelty and hatred and trembling fear
     time unknown for grandmother’s love
I am from
     going away while flying high
     reuniting with love and learning to trust
I am from
     being crowded but now being free
     being able to finally say
I am Loved.

— Moya

I am from
church on Saturdays
weekends being packed
Friday night games
Sunday dinners with my family
or just sleeping all day

Don’t like to do work
long boring classes
struggling to pay attention
roaming the hallways
trying to kill time

I am from
eating junk food
going to parties
listening to music
dancing

love sports
cheerleading and track
cheering in the snow
running in the rain
championship games
visiting radio stations

— Ashley

My origin goes back to Africa
I’m black, whether I’m poor,
or rich or rich or poor yo it all the
same thing. I’m black even though my
skin color is light, because my ancestor
was rape by somebody white. I’m black.
And that’s crack…

—Bobby

I am from
I am from my mother
from where the Birds & Bees lead up to
I am from Barry White & Marvin Gay songs

I am from
I am from the doctor
I am what every you say
I am

I am sexy
I am kinley
I am sleep
Now leave me along
I am My. Roy Robert Student

— Nigel

I am from Haiti
H is for the HOT every day
A is for the ANXIOUS minds whether
you gone see another day
I is for the INFINITE mangos
T is for the numerous TALL TREES
I is for the INSANE parties

— Cindy

I am from an athletic family
Where everyone goes to college of their skills
And going to college is expected

We all play football
Only difference is they have championship rings
Everyone’s almost done with college
And I’m trying to get in

— Isiah

Where I’m From

I’m from New Britain
Playing outside in any weather

Football in the winter, getting tackled in the snow,
Basketball when it’s warm, learning almost everything from
my brother

Moving to Bloomfield at six, more sports
& more fun
Everything the same just a
bigger house & more friends but the same people
and actions

Growing up fast, always fighting with my brother
& cousins
But after about 15 minutes everything is back
to normal

— Thornton

I am from
a family full of many races
Hailing from Portugal, the Caribbean, India and U.K.
Hard working
Disciplined
No tolerance for misbehavior
is a family I hail from

Where leisure time
Soccer
Dinner and
Family is taken seriously
at an all time high

Summer means skips
slaps smacks clicks clacks
and a whole lot of
noise

Running in the hot sun
Barefoot with a soccer ball
and listening to my grandparents speaking about the
good ol’ days with a bottle of red stripe and sagres

— Taimur

I am from
the weight room
Pumping iron
but not in the yard

I am from
fun times, sad times, happy days
Snowy white Christmas
Big Sunday dinners
family cookouts

I am from
twisted weekends
a night life never end
Big parties
Ballin!!!

—Danny

I am from living with all four seasons
fall, spring, winter, and summer. Bloomfield,
CT. My mother who is from waking up to the
green palms of the blue sea and the great
beaches where the sand is white. Spanishtown,
Jamaica.

I am from a family with different backgrounds
Jamaican and Puerto Rican. Both who were grown
differently but who were lucky enough to
live on beautiful islands. Me who has visited
the beautiful island of Jamaica more than
once.

I am from going to school with my friends
and having a good time making the small
town of Bloomfield exciting. Loving my
town but wanting something different like
my mom.

I am from waiting to move to the state of
Georgia and starting a life there and
pursuing my dream and making my mother
and grandmother proud.

—Kadeisha

I am from
Cordelia & Gary Douglas
Where Gary is from the South
And Cordelia is from the North.

From many trips to Florida
Stories, home videos, and pictures
that go back to when I was little
When I would run around with a bottle in my hand.

I am from the nicknames that made my character
Like Peanut Butter and many more
I from hip-hop and R&B

From hopes and dreams of becoming successful
Most of all I am from me

— Stephanie

I am from
a family where
love is a strong word
even though my family
is small

Going out to eat is
what we love to do but
to my knowledge traveling
is what we do best

I am from
a succeeding life
where my family supports
me in what I want to do
even though I don’t have
a father, I have a big future
ahead of me

My family is a big part
of my life and that’s
all I need to
SUCCEED!

—Shanago

I am from
Connecticut
ancestors from Jamaica where the air is sweet
where the music is upbeat

Lived in Connecticut for 15 years
I don’t love it for 15 years
I live in Bloomfield

—Kadesh

I am from
a warm climate
waking up early in the morning
fresh smell of coffee
and the early dew.

I am from
a loving family
Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and me
Visiting the country
Waking up to farm animals

I am from
Nice beaches
Beautiful sunsets
Lovely ladies

I am from
Beautiful palm trees
Good school days
And a place I’m proud to call my home!

— Carlos

I am from
the sky
The clouds and the sun so bright
Rainy, snow, hail in the night

My journey to heaven
was a long long way to go
but time is growing near finally I’ll be home

I am from
singing praise is what I do
Until the day I’ll take your hand
and spend my life with you

The sky
the moon the bright shiny stars
The sky so blue
All the shooting stars

I am from
morning to morning
lesson to learning

I am from

I am from
the sky
The clouds and the sun so bright
Rainy, snow, hail in the night

My journey to heaven
was a long long way to go
but time is growing near finally I’ll be home

I am from
singing praise is what I do
Until the day I’ll take your hand
and spend my life with you

The sky
the moon the bright shiny stars
The sky so blue
All the shooting stars

I am from
morning to morning
lesson to learning

I am from

— Sheina

I am from
smiles & laughter all around
Pure fun & frolic without a bound

I am from
early morning swimming
sand between my toes
waves rippling & smashing
as the cool wind blows

I am from
times when we stop playing
just for mom’s food that’s good
I would go for 2nds, 3rds, 4ths if I could

I am from
riding bicycles & jumping ropes
wishing we could stay young forever
no worries, just hopes

— Cheneil

I am from
I am from a family with a lot of children
a family that does a lot of stuff together
I come from a family that argues but still loves each other.

I am from a family that eats fried chicken
We collard green and macaroni and cheese.

I am from a family that love to party.

— Tiffanie

I am from Jamaica
A place of hot days and cool nights
Humbling people
Tropical fruits
Nice beaches

Waking up to a cool breeze
Hiking
Swimming with dolphins
Climbing rivers
Nice resorts

I am from hurricanes
destructive storms
but nice climate
Strong people
All night parties.

— Curt

I am from…

I am from
my parents waking me up in the morning
to the smell of steam fish and okra cooking on the stove

Spending my long summer days at family outings,
Usually BBCs or family get togethers

I am from
the best family in the world
lots of fun and love
a loving mom and step-dad
2 loving brothers

Memories of summer days walking around my
neighborhood, and going to the park with lots of
neighborhood friends

I am from
Tragic memories of the death of loved ones,
Still holding on and never letting go
Making wrong decisions, then saying I’m sorry
and growing up

I am from
Speaking my mind and not caring
Starting an argument over something small
and making friends with ease

I am from a family who loves me a lot and I love
them too.

— Kadisha

I am from the scent of
cats all over the place.

A group of
friends, no more no less.

I am from living with
the necessities.

The fear
of clowns.

I am from my
grandfather’s company.

My own world.

But I am from
America.

— Ryan

I am from
a big family
of lots of siblings
lots of noise
and all kinds of toys.

A house of cooking food
that always smells good.
A warming place
where I relax and
watch TV.
When it’s just my
family, my dog, and me.

Now, I am from
a place of no real family
where it’s just me
and I need to find a key
to find the place where
I used to be.
I am from.

—Kevin

I am from
online video games
talking with people
around the world on Ventrilo

Iron Maiden
the perfect blend
of harmony
and heavy metal

I am from
the movie Spaceballs
combing deserts
using the Schwartz
And going over helmets

Matt of the Dead
the random mini movies
me and my friends make
located on Youtube

I am from
The New England Patriots
Sunday from one to four
September through January
until the Superbowl

The world of Star Trek
where Kirk, Picard and Janeway
save the Galaxy
countless times over

I am from
staying three hours
after school everyday
to hang out with
all of my friends

— Adam

I am from
a funny mom
and a crazy dad.

A great family
that is always there for each other.

I am from
Irish descent
and Canadian descent.

Having a good time
and a good life.

—Travis

I am…I am not what u expect, not a reflect…tion of anyone
I wonder…if war would every be over come by peace
I hear…the cries of the starving little children whose stomach would never be at ease
I see…the unachieved dream of Mr. King
I want…eternal happiness opposed to the bling
I am…not what u expect, not a reflect…ion of anyone

I pretend…that everyone is invincible and nobody can be cut and bleed
I feel…controversy and jealousy, proceeds the need for greed
I touch…those who are willing to listen
I worry…for those who live without heat and power in their kitchen
I cry…for those who are not allowed to cry and are severely beaten
I am…not what u expect, not a reflect…ion of anyone

I understand…street dreams
I say…what I want uncensored, I say what I mean
I dream…the glorious dream of Martin Luther King
I try…to be the best that I can be
I hope…to live true to my dreams
I am…not what u expect, not a reflect…ion of anyone

I…work I chill I write I red I talk I listen
I love…my family, my moms cooking, and all of my blessings
I like…to strive to get paid
I will…accomplish all of my dreams like I already said
I am…not what u expect, not a reflect…ion of anyone

 - Johnny

Soy de una vecindad,
donde escuchaba los llantos de mama
Soy de una familia Hermosa,
Soy de una vecindad,
donde se oian los coquis por la
hoche y las cotorras por el dia
Soy de divirtiendome con papa
Juguando al softball.
Soy de creciendo con una hermana
Major, jugando a las munecas
Soy de una isla donde recuerdo
las playas hermosas donde Jugaba
Con la arena.
Soy de una vecindad donde se
come frutas tropicales, como el
mango, las quenepas, y el mamei.
Soy de llegando a los estados
unidos cuando era nina
Soy de qprendiendo un Nuevo
language
Soy de una familia que me
ensenaron las cosas buenas de
la vida-y que me hicieron la
Senonta que soy hoy.
YO SOY…YO!

— Carmen

I am from Puerto Rico
I am from a beautiful
place in Tabucoa, in Playa
Guayahez
I am from a family of
six people
I am from a family of
4 brothers
I am from a place that
has good food and
excellent restaurants
I am from a place
that’s very hot, dry, and
moisty.
I am from a place
where we get a lot of
rain and we get no
snow.
I am from a place
where is always hot
and never cold.
I am from a place where
there is a lot of drugs
I am from a place where
there is a lot of crime and
a lot of murders
I am from a place where music like
salsa is famous
I am from a place of
good music and good people
I am from a place of adventure
and a place of terror

I am from the Island of Hatred
Love and Death

I am from Puerto Rico

— Joseph

I am from
a neighborhood I’ve lived in since I was born
people I’m close with
and the happiness that is like a gift
the care, the growth, the share

Hanging with my friends and family all the time
listening to music and having a blast
the smile on everyone’s faces that lasts
trying to have a good time forgetting the past

I am from
A wonderful place called home
Where I enjoy myself, watch TV, talk on the phone
go outside to catch the breeze
look down at the ground surrounding you is the leaves

When my family and I get together
we loved to joke around it don’t get no better
Show how much we appreciate each other
And there’s no better family no other

I am from
A place where I like to try my best
Stay strong finish school don’t be nothing less
What’s why we live to be tested
There are hard times everywhere
deep dark secrets but one some people you tell

My favorite music is rap/hip hop
Sometimes I even make up my own music
Listen to jams gets you in that zone
dance and sing in the place called home

I am from
a life of laughter, and tears
to the good tmies to the fears
People watching protecting me
How so kind to be

My family is there
Those people who love and care
A hand to reach out and grab
the best people in life to have.

Yo soy de “la isla del encanto,”
Puerto Rico el borinquen
donde la vida es bella

Soy de los campos bonitos
Donde la gente te aprecia y son amistosas
Y la paz que te traquiliza

Me arecuerdo corer detras de las gallinas molestandolas todos los dios
Me arecuerdo despertar por las mananas al ruido del gallo
Y el aroma de la comida de miabuela.

Yo soy de los platos mas ricos del mundo
hechos por mi mama pero creados por my abuela.

Soy de las bachatas, salsas y meringues que escuchaba en las fiestas.
“Y mira que habian muchas de esas fiestas”

yo me divertra de nadamas ayadar a mi abuelo
darle comida a los animals.

Nunca voy a olvidar cada vex que jugaba
al beisból con mi familia

Soy de Poncé del pueblo que nunca voy a olvidar
Y siempre voy a traer en el corazón.

I’m from a small town where you’ll
see frogs on the bridge, where
there’s nothing at all to do but
something ends up happening at the
end of the night. I’m from a
town where the tallest buildings
are the smallest in other places
I’m from crowded streets, with beer
cans around, smoke in the air,
and music in the background.
There’s a bunch of people
in this small town with nothing
to do but try to make money or
play sports and good friends
stay close.

—Jose

I am from a big city where anything’s possible
known as the city of opportunity
But seems to have less and less every generation
a city where you grow up faster than expected
so a childhood will always be missed
a city where you’re more likely to go to jail than graduate high school.
So we moved from that city, like I always say
It ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.

I am a boy who likes baseball.
I wonder what my new team is like.
I feel the sweet cool breath of autumn.
I smell spicy pumpkin pies cooking in my mother’s kitchen.
I hear the roar of baseball fans in the stadium.
I am a boy who likes baseball.

I pretend to be a famous baseball player.
I am excited about the new year.
I am touched by my older brother.
I worry about overpopulation in the world.
I laugh when I watch funny movies.
I am a boy who likes baseball.

I want to be a firefighter.
I always say that’s fine.
I dream about living with my family in my own house.
I hope for world peace.
I am a boy who likes baseball.

— Kyle

I am from a family that likes to laugh and be loud.
I am from a family that likes cookouts, and vacations,
I am from an aunt and dad I am from playing sports and having fun
with my family I am from Puerto Rico and raised in Willimantic.

— Luis

I am from Ice
I live in the coldest part of my
feelings while I express myself people
feel the chill rubbing around them
like a midnight winter storm.
My mouth is full of silence and
chill of the deep dark abyss.
My heart will not stop till it sees
my world surrounded by the white and
cold silence that’s in me.
My hands are like frost bites trying
to heal while I still freeze inside.
My favorite part of it all is that no
has to know about It.
because my world is cold
I AM FROM ICE

— Fausta

I am
from the land of the Meztiso
from the spices in the food
from the accent in my words

I am
from a family of five
two younger brothers
and two loving parents.

I am a football player
I play Center, and D. Tackle
for a team that doesn’t know defeat.

I am a high school student
with many hopes and dreams
Hoping that one day I will go to college

I am here for a reason
My answer hasn’t been found
Will I be successful
or will I be condemned

— Sergio

I am from
the land of the beauty
where the tradition and cultures
are still followed.

Where the jibarito with his
pava, working in his finca, never
went to school to bring home food.
Where before getting an education
was hard to reach.

And all you can do was lived
simple in the compo.

The song of the coquí was
always heard at night. In the
most noisy night you hear the coqui
and the crickets sing.

Where I’m from you didn’t
have to go to the market
to buy fruits or vegetables.

You could have as many
as you want picked fresh from
the tree.

The beaches are still beautiful,
and the palm trees bow down.

Celebrities come to visit
and their vacation is splisit.

La navidad is celebrated big.
The houses are full of light
and parandas everywhere.
A family get together, food and
gifts. Los tres reyes magos
wait for the little kids to fall
asleep.

They drink their water and
the camels eat the grass that
was placed under the bed
to keep on with their long
journey.

We all celebrate this big night
with traditional dances and
traditional foods.

I’m proud to say where
I’m from. I’m from la isla
de encanto, la más preciosa,
la hija del mar y el sol, Puerto
Rico.

— Evelyn

I am from
a small island
that’s not hard to see
the richness of the sea
that lives inside of me.

To a family
that will always have
my back. In the
good and in the bad,
no matter what
people say they will always
have a way to put a smile on my face.

I am from
the rhythm of the music
the melody of that song
that they put the day
he was gone.

From the loneliness of the Wind
To the tears going down my
cheek when I heard my grandma
left, left without me

I am from
a world of suffering
and disaster, where
the rich don’t care about
the poor, where people
kill each other just to
win a war.

From families praying for
their loved ones to little
girls trying to be grown-ups.

— Jimarie

I am from a family with
many wrestlers. I am from a family
who roast pork on New Year’s. I am
from a team of the best wrestlers.
I am from a family who love to
play bingo. I am from a hard working
family. I am from a family who finish
what they start. I am from a
family who cares. I am from
Willimantic, CT.

— Sergio

I am from a land that I don’t know very
well, but that I love dearly.

I am from spending time with my
family in the holy days and having great fun.

I am from playing soccer in the
afternoons with all my friends.

I am from eating great Mexican dishes
like tacos and tamales.

I am from warm summers and friendly
winters.

I am from Mexico.

— Jesus

Sono delle tradizioni
notti allrgre illuminate
dal chiarone delle candele
mi vesto da Sankta Lucia.

Canzoni per la feste,
fa Pasqua a Natale
Cibo in abbondanza
e famiglia numerosa.

La cucina rinfresca
la vita quotidiana
dalla polenta alla frutta,
ci vado volentieri.

Chiedilo a mamma,
se vorresti saper
perché la casa nostra
odora di bell’aria.

Una stalla,
allegata al mio curo
che sembra una prigione,
ma ci vado volentieri.

Stelle autunnali, il vento estivo,
sono delle navi, dei cavi,
del mondo.

Vengo da tutto un po’
il piú bel miscuglio che mai,
ma non mi dimentico che
il passato ce n’é ancora
e, guardando in dietro,
ci vado volentieri. I am from tradition,
happy nights lit-up
by the rays of candles
I dress as Sankta Lucia.

Songs for every holiday,
From Easter to Christmas
an abundance of food
and lots of family.

The kitchen refreshes
daily life
from polenta to fruit
I go there willingly.

Ask my mother,
if you want to know
why our house
always smells so good.

A barn in the back,
connected to my heart strings,
that seems like a prison,
but I go there willingly.

Autumn stars, summer wind,
I am from ships, from quarries
from the world.

I come from everywhere
the best mix there ever was,
but I will not forget that
the past is still there
and, looking back,
I go willingly.

— Jose

I am from
Hardships in all my years
Where I’ve shed so many tears
From so many ups and downs
from smiles to frowns

I am from
shelter to apartment
from hard floors to carpets
from city to city in different states
from being in one place today to being somewhere else
a different date

I am from
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, and PR.
Where from each of those states once lived a star
Going outside and listening to the different beats
Hip hop, R&B, Salsa and Reggaeton on each street

I am from
More than one place.

— Veronica

I am from
A friendship
Involving my dog and I.
Who once was so little,
and look for the warmness
that stayed on my pillow.
When she’s happy she licks my nose,
to reach it on her tippy toes.
Her wagging never terminates, as she
watches me get home.

I am from
2 parents,
that always try to help.
I worry about them always,
I’m constantly stressing them out.
Wait
That’s not what you should be thinking, excuse me!
Stress them out in a way where
they provide my safety.

I am from
millions of questions,
that make me so self-conscious.
drive me from hating my body,
and jealous of any else around it.

Boom boot kat
dance to the beat
swing my arms
to
stomp my feet
The only time when
my hips
feels so free

I am from
a flower,
That outside it purple,
inside it’s yellow.
Its petals are perpendicular,
and vertical, to one another.
The smell is such a fragrance
that hangs on to you close.

I am from
the mountain Paradise,
that today I tend to own.

— Stephy

I am from sleeping in
on Saturday mornings, then
when I do get up eating my
favorite breakfast meals, and watching
cartoons.
I am from staying up on
Monday/Tuesday nights to
watch pro-wrestling.

I am from eating big
meals on special occasions
and on certain weekends.

I am from this country
but I’m of Irish/Puerto Rican
descent, I am from a
house that speaks Spanish
and English most of the
time I speak Spanglish
at home and occasionally
I’ll throw in some American
slang.

I am from listening to
different kinds of music
like Eminem, Insane Clown Posse,
Prince, Michael Jackson,
Techno, Rap, Reggaetone,
Jazz, Rock-Rap

I am from horror movies,
Chinese food, pizza,
Horrorcore Rap Music, going
Bowling, watching –
Three Stooges marathons.

— Sean

I am from
a house built on glass
a garden grown from weeds
a family of chills

I am from
the sounds of sirens
the smells of smoke
the taste of exhaustion

I am from
playing outdoors until night
hot chocolate for breakfast
speakers always blasting

I am from
the magazines on the floor
the empty bottles in the sink
the spider on the wall

I am from
the place you never noticed
the place you always wanted
and the place I never needed.

— Molly

I am from
An African American mother
The noise of frying bacon
in the morning
Kids crying waking me up
I am from Bridgeport
A mother not on my back
A father not caring
I am from my mother yelling
I am from
I am from sister on my back
Nieces in my present
Babies to love
I am from having Christmas every year
I am from starting off good on New Year’s Day
I am from
A Birthday in January
February
March
April
Not May
But June
and July
August
September
Don’t know about October
Yes November &
December.
I am from
I am from being used to winter
fall and spring
I’m not that used to summer
depending on where I’m at.
I am from
hanging out with different races
tying shoe laces
I am from an African American family.
I am from.

— Marlena

I am from
A kind and loving family
close knit group of friends
Fun on all the weekends.

I am from
a diverse high school
a student and an athlete
a scholar and a volunteer.

I am from
a small town called Hampton
a large yard
a garden every year.

I am from
uncertain times with a mom in the hospital
Fun times with all the family
Boring times in the pouring rain.

I am from
a place that will never leave me
people that always believe me
weather that’s always pleasing
a home I will always love.

— Kevin

I am from
Germany, though I wasn’t born
there.
That’s where I grew up.

Every train ride.
Every long walk home.
Every misunderstood German.
Every summer day.

Germany is where my life is,
or at least was.
Now in Windham, life is better.
But Germany has a piece of my heart.

Every late night with friends
Every cigarette
Every party,
Every exhilarating run back to the base.

I am from
Windham,
But my childhood will always
be in Germany.

— Alex

I am from
Dominican Republic, a warm, sunny weather
where everythin’ is nice and cool

Layin’ back and relaxin’
to forget what hurts the most
havin’ good days and bad days
and not understandin’ why.

I am from
bein’ in a place where u can’t call home
where everythin’ is different from what u were used to before

When ur dad passed away
and u bein’ clueless why it happened
ur mom on the other side tries to get closer
but everythin’ falls apart.

I am from
tryin’ to be someone in life
but it gets harder and harder on the way there

My friends are my life
without them I don’t know where I would be
they help me through many problems I go through every day
when u just feel that ur life is fallin’ to pieces

I am from
this lifetime
when u have to think before u do somethin’
havin’ people admire ur hard work
walkin’ through that runway feeling free
and dancin’ to the beat forgettin’ ur problems

I am from
this world
where everyone lives to die

— Maria

I am from
peaceful nights
the scent of cinnamon candles
wildflowers and animals
a place to call home

Fun-filled laughter
merciless tickling
butterflies in the stomach
feeling as if I belong

I am from
whispered apologies
tear-soaked pillows
letters from loved ones who have passed
the brink of self-destruction

feigned joy and forced smiles
vicious blades of wit
hot chocolate on a bitter winter evening
cool lemonade under the heated sun

I am from
warm blankets to stop the shivering
the clicks of a keyboard
melodious hums
music to pass the time

heart-felt lyrics
awkward silence
constant giggling
pool fights and races
knowing that I’m loved

I am from
the heart of home.

— Stephanie

I am From
Watching my boring neighborhood
Cars zooming by without a speed limit
The trees scattering leaves on the ground
Kids riding their bikes back and forth
Five year olds running to the ice cream truck

Listening to my radio blast heavy metal and alternative rock
My brother playing video games early in the morning
Hearing myself crying as I watched Micki walk away
Overhearing the newsman saying the World Trade Center was just bombed
I am From
Many celebrated holidays
Big cakes on my family’s birthday parties
Eating ice cream on New Year’s Eve
Tasty turkeys at Thanksgiving dinners every year
Picnics at the park on the 4th of July

Receiving money on Chinese New Year
Opening presents on Christmas morning
Getting anxious on Valentines Day
Hoping for my birthday to over

I am From
Having many emotions
Feeling nervous before my first kiss
Getting furious at my brother
Hating my mom and dad for leaving me
Loving my grandma for taking care of me the best she could
Feeling like a lost and lonely loser

Wearing many colors
Trying not to fit in
Hating new fashion trends
Making my own style
Loving how people laugh at me

I am From
Not caring what anyone thinks about me
Many happy and sad memories
And good times with my friends

I am From
Being comfortable with who I am

— Christina

The culture I come from
2 the most important things
is God and your family

When you are sitting around
if the family there is
laughter and love in the atmosphere

My house always smells
like fried chicken
and rice

But I also have another
culture
Which is here in the United States

School, homework, sports
are a daily routine which includes fast food almost every day
The neighborhood is quiet and winters
are white.

Summers are hot and short
but winters are cold and long.

My two worlds are different
but I love them both
Even though most my life has
been spent here

My heart will always
be in my homeland
and where half of past is…Puerto Rico

This is who I am.

—Nilmarys

I am from
the land of
wumps. I
ride a wump
with just one
hump.

Sometimes I’m
sad, sometimes
I’m glad and sometimes
I’m very very bad.

I am from playing
outside in the
cold winter day and
the hot sweaty
summer days.

I stay up
summer nights
sleep late
summer mornings.

Playing video
games on
boring rainy days.
Hanging out with
friends Friday
nights

I am from
playing drums
marching in unison
I am Roger.

— Roger

I am from the Sea
The Spray
The “cold wet”
The Blue
I am from the Wind
The Sky
The blue above the blue which is blue
from which
rain
and sleet
and snow
and hail come.
I am from the Earth
The ground
That which is Terra Firma
That which the Blue sits on
and that which the
rain
and sleet
and snow
and hail come
and go
which the wind blows
and under the lava flows
Where the Trolls are
in their mountain halls
they sing
to their mountain King
and Here I stay
within none other than day.

—Alex

I am from
waking in bed
with the sun’s rays
piercing my eyes
feeding the turtle and dogs
then feeding myself.

Working outside or in
polish or vacuuming
or lifting logs
resting to eat
then playing games
without delay.

I am from
nighttime fires
my clothes smelling of smoke
The cooking food
on an open flame.

To sleep at night
I lie in bed
pulling the covers
over my head
to fall into
my sanctuary.

— Jonathan

I am from
sunny days
swimming all day
Hanging with friends and having fun
A radio to listen to

Playing basketball and football
then riding my bike to my friends
sleeping in on the weekend
and then jumping in the pool

I am from
snowy days
snowboarding and sledding
snowball fights and building snowmen
then drinking a nice cup of hot cocoa

I am from
the leafy days of autumn
Watching football
and going trick or treating on Halloween

I am from
sleep
sleeping in everyday in the summer
dreaming the night away
and then waking up to a beautiful day

I am from
basketball
passing and scoring
then winning the game
working hard and challenging myself
and last second shots.

—Kevin

I am from
a life of music
blazin’ stage lights
music circle, recording, and hours of editing
a guitar to express my emotions
Rough & Tough boxing training
runnin’ the stairs, hills & trails
Workin’ hard to keep weight
just enjoyin’ what I love
I am from
quiet holidays
Keepin’ in touch with family so far away
listening to missed stories
tryin’ to catch up with the little time we have
Workin’ the shop with the pops
smell of cedar
wood shavings on my shirt
the pages and pages of blue prints
watchin’ creativity on paper come alive in the shape of a house
I am from
an untrusting mother
lies and rumors
the sight of flashin’ lights
the divorce…how it destroys the family
wishin’ so hard to be a different kid
different mother…then came Barbara
someone who cared…someone who was there
vacations with new 2nd family
A newfound paradise…shattered by death
I am from
A new understanding…
A relight of hope
A family together again
Thanks to a woman I wish so hard could be here to be thanked
I am from
highest of highs & lowest of lows
Strengthened by loved ones
but I still ask why am I so selfish?
tryin’ to live straight & moral
getting’ mixed up between my work & social life
writin’ songs of lost hope
But just now to be bottled up & hidin’ away
I am from
many friends
much gossip
lots of tunes
and just gettin’ by one day at a time.

—Tom

I am from
The good times
The bad times
All the times in between
Fun times in the Lebanon Preschool
With my boy STEVEN BRRRRODUUUEEERRR

I am from
Mrs. Ramsey’s kindergarten class
Red cardboard bricks
Tuna sandwiches
Lemon Hi-C boxes
Giant snowballs at recess

I am from
Mrs. Russell’s 1st Grade
Mr. Juliano’s 2nd
Ms. Piatek’s 3rd
And Mrs. Person’s 4th
All the years in elementary school

I am from
Two vacations to St. John
The Virgin Islands
Hot beaches
Warm blue water
Cold smoothies

I am from
New houses
My Grandmas pool
My Grandpas beach house
The Irish festival
And lots of food.

—Brendan

I am the third son
I am the fruition of promise

I come from love
Sarcasm
And humor

I come from being
Read the riot act
And the consoling hug
That comes after

I come from two huge brothers
And two stubborn sisters

I am from Italy
Ireland
Canada
And Argentina

I come from laughter
Noise
And fun

From a big table
Covered in food
And surrounded by stories

I am from
The game winning hit
The run saving catch
The double play

I am from
The run stopping tackle
Crisp snaps
Pancakes

I am
Organized
Sloppy
And organized again

I am
Me

—Wheeler

I am from
Living life the way I want to
To the fullest
Always

From riding my bike hard
Until my hands are blistered
And my legs
Cut and bruised
From pedals and rather hard ground

I am from
Landing a new trick
Finally, after much practice
And failed attempts.

I am from
Stepping onto the ice
Leading my team to a victory
Or a loss
Usually a loss
But hey, victory sounded way more motivating

From seeing my breath
On the ice
From making game-saving saves
That keep the team in good spirits
Yay!

I am from
Living life to the fullest
Living the way I want to
Always
From riding and skating hard
I am from.

—Max

I am from Austria The meadows so wide and beautiful
The cows grazing and the farmers haying
The mountains outside my front porch
The warm morning sun shining in my room
And the rooster calling my name

Playtime everyday with my kindergarten friends
Waiting for the mini school bus to pick me up
I play for hours outside on the playground
Playing with my toys again after lunch time

I am from Austria
Where the smell of “Wiener Schnitzl” fills my lungs
Seeing my mom cooking up a storm
“Tiroler Knoedel,” “Schpaetzl,” “Leberkaes Semmerl,”
And other mouth watering dishes

Patiently waiting for winter to arrive
To see snow caps on the mountains
To have unending snowball fights
To build snowmen and ice cold igloos
To ski down hills with crisp air blowing in my face
And then warming up with a cup of hot chocolate

I am from Austria
Celebrating every joy filled holiday
Like there is no tomorrow
Each with special traditions
Everyone coming together
To make each celebration a feast

So many holidays flowing through my mind
Dressing up for “Faschings Dienstag”
Smelling “gluewein” during “Sankt Nicholaus”
Watching the “Berchten” make their run
And preparing the way for “Kristkindl”

I am from Austria, my home.

— Jesse

I am from
A dismembered family
Where my father left
Just like his father
And now he doesn’t visit me
because of my new step-mom

I am from
Where happiness comes rarely
Also when you don’t have enough
ambition to get you through the day

I am from
When there is happiness it is
lived to fullest extent possible
So much love to give
but none to give it to

I am from
Using football to take
out my misplaced anger
but when I’m not playing
I take it out on my brother
because I’m ill-tempered
and don’t care what
will happen next

I am from
Where I hold in all my emotion
because therapy just made it
worse for me
can’t even express the love
for someone because I’m
scared they reject me
and send me spiraling
down a black hole.

— Nathan

I am from
An island in the Caribbean
A peninsula in the Mediterranean
A country made up of states

I am from
A family caring
Grandparents loving
relatives giving

I am from
a family who loves to sing
cousins who play instruments
friends who listen to music

I am from
computer fixers
and fun-loving adults
and a dad who tries to crack jokes

I am from
building with Legos
play video games
sleeping in very late

I am from
relatives that celebrate Christmas
cousins who eat at Thanksgiving
Family that goes out at Easter

I am from
eating waffles in the morning
to eating rice at noon
eating pizza at night
and snooze soon after

I am from a family
that loves me so
that I can just be
me

— Michael

I am from…
A snowball fight with siblings
a food-filled kitchen
big leaf piles
a plate of raviolis
a New York Giants family
a Monty Python filled weekend
seeing Mr. Peppin walking
playing a PS1
making fraziers
Xmas morning at Bacca’s
playing with Legos
watching the Simpsons every day
Easter egg hunts
lazy summers
sailing with my dad
fishing for an afternoon
laying on the beach
swimming in a pool
eating donuts off a pumpkin
the smell of bacon on Sundays
petting Bruin while he’s asleep
My grandfather playing Frank Sinatra
playing hide and seek in the woods
watching Saturday morning cartoons
traveling every year
having cookouts in the back
the grill roaring every week in summer
Superbowl parties
a one-sided relationship

— Bart

I am from a broken family
Slowly put back together
One small piece at a time
Everyday learning a new secret
Discovering I have a sister
Accepting a new baby brother
Trying desperately to love everyone the same

Homemade hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night
Watching the silent snow coating the trees
Sledding with my cousins
Falling asleep gazing at soft Christmas lights
Waking up late at night to see the clear ringed moon
Eating warm pancakes and eggs come early morning
Tracing the careful detailing on my rocking horse

Sadly watching all the snow melt
Carefully, attentively listening
As Pepere shows me all different kinds of flowers
Collecting Easter eggs covered with morning dew
Making the traditional bunny cake with my Mom
Laughing at the crazy things my family says
Realizing something is missing

I am from a different kind of family
A family where I know I belong
Missing my Dad so far away
Meeting my Dad’s new girlfriend, now my stepmom
Loving my brother as if he has all my blood
Thinking of how my life could, should be better
Just knowing I soon will find my way

— Nicole

I am ME
an athlete
full of care
who comes from neighborhood snowball
fights
and sisterly beatings

I am proud
to be who I am
sometimes misunderstood
and hard to accept

I am a survivor
of stereotypes and
racism
NO STONE OR ROCK
COULD DESTROY MY SOUL

I am a lover
family feasts
up-beat parties
celebrations
joy & happiness

I am a best friend
sleepovers & birthday parties
all-nighters
unforgettable memories

I am a student
an open book
who learns new things
everyday

I am a dreamer
who looks forward to the future
and what life has to offer.

I am Bianca Gildea
I am, “Me”

— Bianca

I am from
shooting hoops in my driveway
playing in my back yard
going on the swingset
throwing balls for my dog

I am from
moving three times
making new friends
leaving and
making more new friends

I am from
Ireland and Italy mostly
always celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
being a relative of a signer of the Declaration

I am from
going to Maine every summer
to see my grandparents
making sand castles
skimboarding
now surfing

I am from
playing basketball all my life and always wanting to be better,
playing for my middle school team
high school bball dreams

I am from
being in a loving family
and loving them back
going to Cincinnati every Christmas
giving it up for high school sports

I am from
the love and guidance every day
to help me along the way
parents that support me
whatever I choose to do

— Kristen

I am from
Living in Puerto Rico
Watching coconuts fall from trees
Loud roosters in the backyard
Heat

The smell of Spanish food every morning
Colorful walls like a rainbow in the summer
Cleaning products
Hardworking family members

I am from
Sitting on roof tops
“Cars go pass”
Monopoly
Double Dutch on the streets

Drinking coffee in every house we visit
Sweet fifteens
Loud music like a parade in a box
And a silent church every Sunday

I am from
Moving to the U.S. in 1995 to avoid violence
Volleyball, basketball, drill, dance, cheerleading and fashion
Overachieving

Sneakers to high heels
No pets
“Recojete”
Laughter with my sister

I am from
Light skinned family
Happy holidays with love
“Benedicion”
Bread with hot chocolate and whip cream

Homework before play
Dinner at grandma’s on Sundays
Making s’mores over the stove
Camping out in the backyard

I am from
A soft and caring sister like a box of Puff tissues
A sister who I can trust and call a friend
A best friend who I consider my own blood
Sleepovers every other weekend in the summer

Strict parents
One grandpa who doesn’t care
Warm hugs from the other grandparents
“Last one is a chicken”

— Janice

I am from

Babysitter
and making whirlpools in the pool
could hear dogs barking
action figures

old cartoons
bikes with training wheels
hide and seek
and waiting for Santa

I am from
getting in everything free
played guitar
checkers
hotdogs and mac and cheese

whiffle ball games
baking cookies
hand puppets
and lots of cousins

I am from
playing in the snow
hot cocoa
good music
and wood stoves

I am from
dressing in costumes
Nintendo
catching snakes and bugs
and playing in sand

I am from
a big family
going to the beach
taste of salt
and lots of friends

— Kyle

I am from
Overprotective older brothers & embarrassing
parents
Loud Puerto Ricans arguing
Noisy neighbors & noisier neighbors
Too many “You’re not my friend any more”s.

Bunking class & getting into fights
Doubledutch, hopscotch & manhunt
“Slide” & “Rockin’ robin” at recess
Name calling, like “reta,” “birch,” & “you’re fat.”

I am from
Dominoes in front of the “bodega”
Bootleg movies out of some guy’s trunk
5-cent candies & pastelillios from the corner store
Coppin’ cherry blow-ups & quarter juices

Ramen noodles straight out of the package
Friday night takeout
Rice and beans at least 300 days a year
Spaghetti-o’s and fake cereal

I am from
Being late to everything
Fighting over who gets to lick the frosting off the
bottom of birthday candles
Jump’s parties in his basement
Playing cockaroach & bingo after holidays

Word searches & sodoku boards
Tea parties & playing teacher
Spanglish & never pronouncing your “er”s
Games of speed at lunch or during SSR

I am from
Watching pitbulls fight in my back yard
Hearing gunshots almost every night
“Illegal art” on every corner you turn
Tagging on anything possible

Sneakers hanging from telephone poles
Piraguas & coquitos
Dressing up for church
Racing to get home before the sun went down.

— Frances

I am from
Birthdays
Friends
Hanging out
and air soft guns

Camping
Hiking
Swimming
and old wounds

I am from
Mischief and fun
Pretend fighting
Schooling
Bright Christmas mornings

Chess
“Up Yours”
Rugby
Memories long gone

I am from
Saturday’s chili
First days of school
Video games
long & short hair

Thanksgiving with relatives
bitter cold
Starry nights
Techno, metal

I am from
New places
Tall trees
Last days of school
Relatives passed away

Cell phones
basketball
Back Yard Wrestling
PS2

I am from
Younger brother and sister
Skateboarding
Exploring

Drawing
Soccer
Red & green color blind

— Ed

I am from
Where the winds are nice
And
The temperature is
Warm and hot

I am from
Where the best music
Was made, with
Flavors

I am from
Where the animals
And
The breeze
Make noise when you
Wake up

I am from
The island where
We have the biggest
Festival
Called the carnival

I am from
where people like
To eat rice, beans, and meat
Every day

I am from
Where people are nice
to each other
And
Help each other

I am from
Where you can see
The trees all over
The places

I am from
Where animals
Like dogs
Are found everywhere

I am from
That place that when
You stand outside
You could see
Nice places
And
All kinds of cars

I am from
where my
family was
Born.

I’m from
Dominican
Republic
My home

— Cesar

Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and backhoes
Lawnmowers and bonfires.
Spaghetti night Wednesdays
With salad and family.

Warheads and nerds
Stray cats that keep coming back
PB&J for every meal
And musty old basements

Old dishes and china
Huge family Christmases; Easters; 4th of July
Monopoly games
poker night, cribbage

“Was up”
“How you doin’”
“How was your day”
“What did you learn”

Fishing, hiking, climbing
birthdays with friends
Pokemon cards
TV and video games

Bike riding to friends
hanging out/chilling
batting cages, arcades
mini golf

Chopping wood
making stove fires, finding
Christmas trees
putting up lights

Pets that come to order
running from home
dogs barking, cats meowing
donkeys whining, goats eating

Listening to music
different from everyone
Rock, Classic Rock, Metal,
Country, Heavy Metal

— Casey

I am from
A culture most like,
unknown,
And a language never heard of.
May one day it may
be forgotten.

So as I said.
I keep the tradition close.
Close to my tale.
The language slides right out of my tongue.

Hmong is what I speak
Papaya salad is what I love
It’s spicy to the taste
And burns the tongue to remember.

Coins and bells drapes from the dresses
Children, teens, and parents
Tossing the green ball
The singer sings the very traditional songs…

I am from
Across the field
Where soccer,
volleyball, and
spending the
tops, are
famous

I am from
traditional dance
done by girls and
boys who are proud
to be who they
are.

I wonder around the open fields
And wish that the day would go slower.

— Pa Kou

I am from
Many types of Coke,
chicken fried steak, and Double Bubble

Playing videogames, swimming, putting
bikes together and Mario

I am from
dirty dad, artistic mom, random comments
and doing wood

chickens, coughing, and
looud talking

I am from
annoying older brother, spoiled dog,
and lots of cousins

Monopoly, loud trucks, and
card games

I am from
basketball, football, and baseball

Fourth of July picnics, Christmas parties,
and barn fires

I am from
Windham Tech, culinary, and
Chef “Mo Dollas”

Memes tv, trick or treating, and
boxed pizzas

I am from
grey and dirty blonde hair, Wiffle ball,
and antique cars

— Mat

I am from
wood stoves
Pond
vegetable garden

Woods
Christmas parties
Christmas lights

I am from
Pink Floyd
The Door
Old cars

Long hair
Old saws
Nail keg

I am from
BB guns
Tonka trucks
Remote control cars

Pine tree smells
Large birthday parties
Hard work
Screaming at football games acting
Like they can hear you

I am from
Czechoslovakia
Ellis Island

— Corbett

I Am From
Hand-me-downs
And my brother’s “name”
First few years in the trailer park
Getting back at younger sister

TV Teddy
Swimming lessons at YMCA
An unfinished basement
Camping with the bugs

I Am From
Playing “spit”
Riding the “merry go round”
Cotton candy at the carnival
Driving in the toy Jeep

Chess and checkers
Soccer
Little league baseball
Too many Chinese homeruns.

I Am From
Poland, Italy, France, and Ireland
Grandparents in the fields
Traveling alone
hard workers with hard heads

Having friends teaching me Spanish
phrases such as “io que paso, paso”
which means “whatever happens happens”
trying to interpret what is being said
making “my” Spanish dictionary

I Am From
Mom’s famous pumpkin roll
Trick-or-treating on Halloween
Easter egg hunts
Hiding birthday presents

Falling out of windows
Kindergarten graduation
Shooting squirrels in the backyard
The monster under the bed

I Am From
Thanksgiving turkey
Nana’s homemade doughnuts
Christmas morning brunch
Making cookies for Santa

Going to camp each summer
Walking the abandoned railroad
Leaving pennies on the track
Swimming in the pond

I Am From
Fishing with dad
Overalls
Saturday spaghetti night
The chocolate game

Looking for salamanders
Hunting for frogs
Runaway pets
Monday night football

— Shane

The outdoors
Fishing
Swimming
And going on hikes with my grandparents

I am from
Being a daredevil
Riding bikes
Playing hockey
And rollerblading

My old friends from Columbia
Catching frogs in my pond
And many tag sales

I am from
Having a great meal every night
A mom that bakes a lot
And balanced meals

Playing board games
Late nights with Uno
And playing soccer with my dad

I am from
Getting lost in stores
Nightmares about E.T.
And sleeping between parents when I was scared

Getting together with family on holidays
And having a grandma dress up as Santa
Lots of food and dessert

I am from
Going to church
Picking on my little brother
And hanging out in my tree house

— Adam

I am from
A big family
Uncles and aunts all over the city
I have a Mexican background
And two great parents

I am from
Waking up every morning at 6:30 am
Having a bowl of cereal with my brother
and sisters
Running out the door and headed for
school
Talking with my friends every morning

I am from
The delicious food my mom bakes
Eating Mexican food every weekend
Having tamales and tacos on special
Occasions and on my birthday

I am from
Seeing my grandfather after school
Hearing my mom’s laugh
Play fighting with my dad and brother
Going to my cousins’ house every
Saturday

I am from
Playing soccer in the backyard
Going to my room and listening to music
Playing my family in a game of checkers
Playing on the computer

I am from
Having lots of candy on Halloween
Seeing the Yankees play on TV
Watching soccer games with my dad
And with my brother

I am from
Going to Florida every year
Playing with my cousin
Going to the beach on sunny days
Swimming for hours

I am from
Visiting Disney World
Going to parties and having a good time
Every Sunday going to church
Watching Fast and the Furious 3

I am from
Playing outside during the winter
Going swimming during the summer
During the fall playing soccer
Having snowball fights

— Oscar

I am from
Playing hide and go seek
People being chased down the street
The shiny star on the Christmas tree
And the sweet smell of French toast in the morning.

I remember the first pair of shoes I got
Love the smell of a pair of brand new shoes
Can’t wait for my first car
Doing stupid stunts

I am from
Playing sports
Riding my bike
Playing Monopoly

Remembering the first time when I fought with my brother
The first time I got in trouble with the police
The first day of school
The first day I was taught how to swim

I am from
Waiting for my sister to get born
And all the snowball fights we used to have
Going to the beach on sunny days
And having paintball fight wars

Going to Florida
Long car rides to New York
Having fun with the family
Doing cook outs
Playing video games

I am from
Watching movies
Eating popcorn
Helping around the house
And eating rice and beans.

Celebrating all the holidays at my grandma’s house
Going fishing with my uncle
Staying up late
And just having fun

— Edgardo

I am From
Russian army runners
Fleers of the Bolshevik Revolution
Naples and Palermo
Seventeenth century settlers

The sound of route 66 busy with cars
deep in to the night
Waking up to the sun streaming into my room
Lazy, hot afternoons in the summer
Staying outside late into the night

I am From
Baseball pitchers
Basketball in the front yard
Playing softball on Sundays
Rec Park

Music
The sound of my guitar echoing through
the house
Jamming with friends and family
Blasting the radio with my dad

I am From
Waking up early to mountain bike
My first ride
Trying my bike out for the first time
Tearing up the trail

Summer turning into autumn and seeing
the leaves change
The smell of apple pie wafting through
the house
Raking leaves
Staying inside on cold rainy days

I am From
Planning trips to New Hampshire
Waiting for snow
The first snow day of the year
Still waiting for snow

Ski trips to New Hampshire
The sound of snow crunching
Sledding at Horse Barn Hill
Tubing

I am From
Walking through my fields
Making snow forts
Attacking snow men I’ve built
Stubbing my toe on a frozen snowman

Watching movies
Playing video games for hours
Seeing my first PG-13 in the theaters
Bowling at Wili Bowl

— Derek

I am From
Bear Bears, Jimmy Tony
And Pocahontas’ death, Cinderella,
Snow White and even Little Women.

From Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys
To Tyler Hilton and Jack’s Mannequin
From Gulla Gulla Island and Barney
To One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls

I am From
A sister who would rather have a puppy
Christmas at Aunt Carol’s
And Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa’s

At Grandma’s house, always lots of food
Wine, meatballs and spaghetti too
Amazing mashed potatoes
And homemade salads

I am From
A house with no good pets
Just fish, always fish
That always die

Singing in the car with my sisters
“You make a man wanna’ feak fanish”
Translating songs from English to Spanish
And having late night dance parties

I am from
Wanting to be a fire truck,
To being a hairdresser
To being whatever I can be

Poland and Italy
Just like my mom
And Germany and England
Because of my dad

I am from
Lots of relatives
So many aunts and uncles
And even more cousins

A hardworking family
Chores and duties
Yet a family of love
With never-ending compassion

I am from
Trips to New Jersey
And fun at the coin castle
And playing in the water

From strict Christian schools
With angry teachers
To Public school
With normal people

I am from
Late night movies
With energy drink concoctions
And tons of horrible food

And every Friday singing to Jesus
And putting all I have
Into every thing I do
No matter what

— Julie

I am from
The smell of campfires
Toasted marshmallows
Birds chirping
Camping in tents

Fishing everyday
Lures caught in my thumb
Riding my quad
Falling off a lot

I am from
Holidays at grandmas
Painting houses
Fixing things
Being lazy

Spaghetti dinner every month
Pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving
Pizza on my birthday
Cookouts in the summer

I am from
Greasy hair sister
Two little brothers
An old dog dying
A new dog born

A lot of candles around my house
Special ornaments on Christmas Eve
Summer trips to Florida
Winter trips to Vermont

I am from
Country music
4x4 trucks covered in mud
Working on farms
Stacking hay

Catching snakes
Cow tipping
Shooting squirrels
Turtle traps

I am from
Family from France and Italy
Moving for more freedom
In the 1920’s
Becoming a Windham Tech student

Majoring in manufacturing
Living in Willington, CT
Living happily with family
Thankful for my past generations

— Matthew

I am from
Riding my bike
Dirt jumping
Go karts racing

Playing with my dog Macy
Talking to my window friends
Dong gog h-roe, lukee and a-man

Staying up on x-mas
Talking to family
Thanksgiving dinner
At nana’s (grandma’s)

Smells of Lysol
Some chicken alfredo
The taste of dirt
From failed attempts at dirt jumping

Good morning breakfast
My mom trying to sing
My dad chasing a dog
Slipping and falling

— Mitch

I am from
A big family
And very few problems
Long car rides
Back and forth

Family traditions
Lots of food
Funny games
And lots of pets

I am part
English, Irish, French Canadian
All over the world I go
See beautiful sun sets
And a crazy lot of stars

I am from
A family of cookers
Freshly baked cookies
Delicious pies
And really tall cakes

I have 1 older bro and 1 younger
I also have 1 younger sis
None that live with me though
1 in Florida and 2 in Michigan

I am from
Basketball, baseball,
And soccer too
Hitting, kicking, and shooting

Old cars
My grandpa collects
From the junkyard
To new running classics

I like music
All kinds
Rap, rock, and some country too
Three 6 mafia, system of a down
And Garth Brooks too.

— Jordan

I am from
Arguing sisters
And laughing brothers
Hand me downs
“I’m older than you”

Stepping on Matchbox cars
Crates filled with Barbies
Candyland
And Barney on Saturday
morning

I am from
Cold leather couches
Warm hot chocolate
Huge Christmas trees
“touché pa”

Moving vans
And sharing rooms
Banana curls
Strange smells

I am from
Trips to Moosehead Lake
And pudding fights
Long trip to Florida
Sandy days at the beach

Hard green bus seats
“wee that got me”
“learn a lot to get real smart”
New addresses to remember

I am from
Tans and turquoise
Feathers and beds
Spiritual stories
Pow wows

Smoked foods
Calming music
And warm, fussy sweaters
Believing someone is with you

I am from
New baby smells
Baby wipes and powders
“E – shah”
Sand boxes

Playscapes
Full laundry room
Make up
And fingernail polish

— Aissia

I am from
A full house
Hardworking mother
Yelling and screaming
Hyper little siblings

From staying up late
On sleepover nights
Parties and movies
Or just hanging out
Best friends; always will be

I am from
Scraped knees
Speaking Spanish
Long dark hair
And tanned skin

From a beautiful island
Mountains, hurricanes
Rainforest
And the beautiful palm trees

Rooster and chicken fights
Who wins the bet?
Beach on the holidays
And playing pretend

I am from
Sneaking around,
Horrible chicken pox
Broken down cars
Accidents and falls

I came to the U.S. in 1998
Meeting new people
Learning a new language
And starting a new life

I am from
Barking dogs and steady horses
The sound of blow dryers
Snapping scissors
Flower arrangements
Lots of colors!
From volleyball
Music, drill team
Fashion shows
And Ballet Folklorico
Enjoying the rush

Loving the food
The smell of freshly brewed coffee
Delicious desserts
Pretty much anything, but
Yuck to sea food

I am from
Divorced parents
A caring stepfather
Confusing stepmother
Two younger siblings
From “benedicion”
And “dios te cuide”
And Best friends
that are practically family

— Karina

I am from

Swims in lakes
Attack of the snakes
Cookies mom bakes
Ice cream cakes

Sis’ bit by a dog
World’s largest bull frog
Sailing through fog
Ginger bread and eggnog

Mom crashing the van
Cooking soup in the can
Cleaning pot and pan
Dad teaching me to be a man

I am from

Planes stalling
Towers falling
People brawling
Bodies appalling

A man starting a war
Not wanting it any more
Bombs and bullets soar
Too much gore

Dog dying
Dad crying
Mom sighing
Ashes flying

My first zit
My first hit
My first date
Being late

Having a car
A record to mar
Raising the bar
This is hard

Italy and Germany
Believing in monogamy
Anything but anarchy
And self glee.

— Sam

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