I'm from (my first entry into my portfolio)

I’m from
After Origins by Jeffrey McDaniel



I’m from electric lights that rob the sky of stars

I’m from Bloody Mary in the mirror and ghosts in the garage

I’m from don’t make me knock your teeth in on Thursday

and who wants to go to Disneyland? on Friday

I’m from denim blue Osh Kosh overalls matched with collared shirts with alligator logos

I’m from the kitchen table where my mother called Columbus that rapist son of a bitch

I’m from real Mexicans speak Spanish puto

and my fists in love with crimson lips because English was always cooler

I’m from shouting as porcelain figures of baby angels smash against the floor

I’m from a Dr. Seuss bedtime story lulling me into a sea of dreams

I’m from late Saturday night booze cruising

and early (light hurts) Sunday morning church

I’m from John Wayne wannabe’s shooting pistols at each other in the streets

I’m from a murder of crows cawing in the park as my father and I fly kites

I’m from Looney Tunes comes on after He-Man

and Super Street Fighter until dawn

I’m from fast cash on the corner with a box cutter in my back pocket (just incase)

I’m from three schools in two years

I’m from soft promises whispered under the Santa Monica Pier to a green-eyed girl

who never believed I had come back to life, even after I showed her my wounds

I’m from familiar handcuffs around my delicate eleven year old wrists

I’m from watch them try and stop me now that I have nothing to lose