Where Destiny Took Me

I'm from empanadas and Colombianas,
The gold, the blue, the red
Constantly reminding me why I'm here
And the prejudice I'm up against.

I'm from the shadows my sister cast.
I'd watch from the sidelines
Hoping I'd be noticed
And feel disappointed when I wasn't.
But if I could just be like her for one day...

I'm from the hated,
The depraved belief in one God the Father the Almighty
Maker of Heaven and Earth of all that is seen and unseen
Begotten not made.
I carry my Hial Mary's
And unmoving faith with me always.

I'm from the overprotection of my mother
As she sits oustide for an hour
After "dropping me off".
And I inherit her protective ways over my siblings:
I will exhaust every horrible possibility of their whereabouts
Until they're finally back in my eyesight.

I'm from "FOR SALE" signs on front lawns,
Hand written letters to Hawaii,
Visits to Maryland,
And weekend calls from Las Vegas.
From friends closest to my heart,
And live so far away.

I'm from too much stress and not enough time.
Hard work, okay grades,
The black, the white, and everything in between.
I'm from looking at the bright side no matter how dark it is,
Believing that things will be okay
Because I'm from the time and place I was meant to be.