I am from a small apartment in San Francisco
a little book nook and two cool cats and a comfy bed
across from a ginormous school
long exhausting stairs, especially after soccer
a bouncy trampoline
top floor, peering down into the neighbor’s yards
cat pictures everywhere
walking silently in our socks so we don’t wake up the babies downstairs
That is where I am from.
I am from big dreams, hard work, open gyms, orange leather balls, and gym time in the morning
summer school and then four hours of tutoring created a really strong reader who completed the Lord of the Ring series gliding through clouds of snow on my two skis and conquering black diamonds
wishing to live in Fiji or Canada
That is where I am from.
I am from veggies with every meal
fresh green beans, seasoned broccoli, chopped red peppers, the list goes on and on
Truffle mushroom ravioli with red sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese with my grandparents on the East Coast
Sushi on Fridays from the local shop, Alaska rolls and hot spicy tuna rolls, no chopsticks, just pop them in
Burgers and sandwiches from Bacon Bacon with lemonade and cheese Pizza at Bambino’s
That is where I am from.
I am from Christmas dinner with bush noel, a creamy earthy chocolatey treat, and Beef Wellington, a crispy bready outside with an earthy layer of mushrooms, onions, and shallots covering a juicy steak
New Year’s Eve with friends, jumping off the couch when the countdown gets to zero
grilled chicken that my dad has perfected over five years
going to meet my family in Boston – cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, hanging out at the grandparents’ house
Maine every summer to North Haven island with boats, fishing and a shack with spectacular mozzarella sticks, doughnuts and ice cream
That is where I am from.
I am from a dad who says I’m so dedicated at everything I do – work, art and sports
a mom who says I’m funny because I make her laugh a lot
friends who say I’m clumsy, forgetful, bad at listening and kind
“Charlie, put your towel back in the bathroom” “Charlie, make your bed.” “Charlie come here.”
“Pass the ball, nice shot, nice try.”
That is where I am from.
I am from Covid, online school, double masks, being stuck inside, quarantine in my room
protests about racism, oppression, politics, I am from shootings, robberies and theft
climate change, hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, and a big earthquake to hit San Francisco.
That is where I am from.