I'm from the abandoned guitar,

whose missing strings escaped my attention.

I'm from the cancer that cornered my father

and the strain and silence that soon followed.

I'm from my mother's tough exterior

and her love for puzzles.

I'm from the out-of-tune piano,

whose keys still lead me to sleep.

I'm from the Spanish music my father played on his stereo,

the upbeat tunes keeping me forever awake.

I'm from the fast-paced talk of Dominican mouths

and the sound of these mouths all at once.

I'm from the novelty of a beautiful sentence,

the words sticking out like city lights.

I'm from chance encounters,

from broken hearts and empty promises.

I'm from rock shows

and bobbing my head to guitar solos.

I'm from crazy, caring, and loud best friends,

who remind me that I'm not all that bad.

I'm from skies and mountains,

to seas and valleys.

I'm from insecurity, fear, adventure,

confusion, confinement, pain,

tears, sweat, anger,

mystery, sadness, regret, love and lastly

wonder.