I am from a cold apartment in San Francisco 

And from tasty restaurants around the corner 

I am from noisy fireworks on random days 

And from dirty plates in the sink

I am from cars screeching by at night   

And from the sound of my dad laughing 

I am from a house that feels empty when it’s not 

And from the quiet sound of typing 

I am from the sound of voices that ring through the hallway 

And random Magazines on the table 

I am from bookshelves full of books I’ve already read twice 

And from cluttered bedrooms and clean kitchens 

I am from parents yelling for me to hurry up 

And from fireplaces flickering on and off

I am from little accomplishments since I’m only 12

I am from many options of food

And my dad’s aromatic cooking

I am from pints of ice cream and half-eaten boxes of cookies 

And from takeout on Friday’s 

I am from vegetables I have to eat 

And from candy stuffed in drawers 

I am from cupcakes on birthdays 

And from family cooking on Sunday’s 

I am from a huge sweet tooth 

And from dessert on the weekends 

I am from fruit displayed on the counter 

And from healthy food on Mondays 

I am from helping in the kitchen ( sometimes) 

and from a love of food 

I am from Basketball games on Christmas Day 

And from visiting family on Christmas 

I am from watching movies on the weekends 

And from hosting thanksgiving 

I am celebrating birthdays in winter and fall 

Music playing constantly in the background 

And from voices laughing loudly into the night 

I am from lots of different food 

And from celebrating Diwali with my family 

I am from Family trips 

And from FaceTiming my cousin 

I am from visiting my grandparents 

I am from friends laughter 

And a helping hand 

I am from yelling, talking, and crazy ideas 

And from kindness 

I am from talking so fast no one can understand 

And from COVID-19, Delta, and Omicron 

I am from cold classrooms 

And from double masking 

I am from the threat of virtual school 

And from friends talking loudly

I am from social distancing 

And from Middle school 

I am from Google Classroom and Duolingo 

This is where I am from