I am from

This week my organization hosted its annual Convening, for which all of our grant recipients and funders come together to dance a bit of Salsa, learn a bit about board development and fundraising, and hang out for a couple of days. Within the theme of story-telling, we invited this amazing internationally renowned slam poet to join us for one of the sessions Kane Smego asked us to write an I am From poem; I really enjoyed the process, and would like to share my result with you.

I am from roller blades carrying hopes and laughter along the smooth path where the palm trees meet the bay.

I am from a lawn of daily newspapers covered in hot dew and nightfall gatherings to discuss matters of great importance like the boundaries for flashlight tag.

I am from the cracks and pops of sunflower seed shells – a father-daughter’s Morse code for “all is well”

I am from courage. I am from twenty years of fear twisted into panty hose and neck ties choking the aspirations of my parents.

I am from three meals a day – Dad ate shoulds for breakfast and Mom stir-fried cant’s into frozen bags of broccoli until they were so full but not satisfied they nearly vomited up our own dreams and once it all comes out they can never go back in.

I am from a climb – a leap from sea-level and a falling upwards, caught by the mountains and cradled in a valley of courage and fresh air. 

Kane has made his mark on the world by empowering youth to share their stories (check out Sacrificial Poets). What a badass!!! Take a listen if you have a minute - his "Superhero" piece was especially moving in the context of our Latino organization convening. It's hard to hear the words, but try hard because the way he paints images with his words is absolutely captivating. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4oAhaM1s4o&playnext=1&list=PL88197589D77AC364&feature=results_video