I live close to the school,

Sometimes too close

Although I can’t see the school from my living room window, I can see the skyline of the city. 

I live in a house squished between two small houses 

I have a dog who makes the outside stairs shake when she barks 

I am from my parents telling me to stop worrying 

I am from my brother’s loud noise all the time 

I am from my dog running and barking with my brother around the house 

I am from walking into my different shades of purple room everyday after school 

I am from my family’s failed attempts to try and sing 

This is where I’m from

I am from a house where the kitchen is always filled with food, 

From crunching on pretzels and dipping sweet baby carrots in hummus while doing homework

I am someone who never eats breakfast,

From parents who always tell me to eat breakfast or I can’t go to school 

I am someone who always eats what’s served and while watching my brother fiddle around with his food 

I am someone who always gags when Brussels sprouts are given to me for dinner 

I am someone who always gets food on unexpected places on their head when eating dinner 

I am from my brother taking up all the talking space at family dinners 

This is where I’m from

I am from a big whole family who celebrates a lot of holidays in winter

I am from a family who is not religious 

I am from a family who lets us choose our birthday menu

I am from my squished car with presents traveling over the bridge to family on Christmas morning 

This is where I’m from

I am from being constantly reminded of being small 

I am from a world with lots of names being directed at me 

Some that make me want to d i s a p p e a r

This is where I’m from

I am from being used to feeling the sweat of my own breath on my face

I am from my ears hurting from double masking

I am from my ears being red for an hour after I take them off

I am from two years of of online learning

I am from having to keep our masks on in games

And watching my brother play his games and being allowed to take their masks off

This is where I am from