"De Donde Soy"

This writing is inspired by George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From" poem. 

De Donde Soy

Stephanie Rivera-Kumar

I am from comerciantes and farmers

In the valleys of Oaxaca and the fields of Michoacan

From a house filled with the smell and smoke of toasted chiles on the comal

From the sweet honeysuckle bush in my backyard 

And the stickiness of funnel cakes and the crunch of corn dogs at the State Fair of Texas 

I am from imperfect, sequin-adorned homemade figure-skating outfits,

And heat sensitivity on hot summer days deep in the heart of North Texas

I am from the instructive “Como te ven te tratan,” “Te mueves o te muevo,” and “No pises como caballo” 

I am from “do your best,” even if doing your best means doing a low-income job,

And from “Meet someone’s gaze and do not look down as though you are ashamed” 

I’m from barbacoa, menudo, and chorizo con huevos on crowded Sunday mornings at Gonzalez

And from “you’re just as good as anyone else, but you will always have to work twice as hard”

I’m from a kitchen filled with Mexican aromas, 

I’m from fun, sweaty bicycle rides, 

I am from everything that is to be, is already within me.