I am from chess pieces and boards

The                          ones 

               with                          green

and             crème squares. 

The smell of fresh, brand new notation books and old cafeterias.  

I am from New York City, Harlem

With                              trash

scattered

along,

 loud noises and lights

A bacon egg and cheese, tropical fantasy and pastelito 

I am from church and crossover service every December 31st

Babies crying. Speakers blaring. Just you and GOD. 

I am from a Piece of the ones before me 

From Get Good Grades and Be Better Than Me

I am from a Piece of the giant of Africa

Jollof rice, dodo, meat pie and malt

Yoruba, iro ati buba and gele 

I am from a Piece of music

R&B, Afrobeats, Gospel and Rap. 

Worship songs like Igwe and artists like Drake

From New York Summers with the boiling, raging hot sun

I am from fire hydrants 

spewing 

over on a summer day and swings at the park.

I am from all the little moments before me and the moments coming for me.