I am the Overused speakers

Voicing the sweet sounds of cultural belonging

The umbrella of security, sheltered from division

I am the slamming of dominoes

That echos the sounds of light-heartedness

Bringing an unspoken voice on its way to be heard

I am the broken strings of a guitar

That yet still holds a strong and rich sound

 

I am the balled up fist in the air

That shatters inequality barriers

Encouraging the world to rethink,

And change a mindset outdated

I am the force that breaks the box made for me

I am the artwork that can not be cased

I am the imagination that will not be molded

By those who drag me down to reality

 

I am the idealist, I am opportunity,

I am the change that I seek for this world

I am the arms that opens;

Embracing the wall before me

Not asking how to climb, but to break

Through these bricks of doubt, hate,

Envy, oppression and cement

That hardens the hearts of those around me

Not through force, but through blood

The blood that pumps through this cage in my chest

Aching to be set free and released

 

I am not just a black girl from the rough sides of New Britain

I am not just the daughter one and half parents

I am not just the sister to eight others

I am a story

That flows in between these lines

The pencil the sores through these pages

Writing words of honesty

A humble truth, that can never be hidden

I am the daughter of an upbringing, refusing to stay down

I am the sister to a culture of humble teachings,

That tells you to never stop reaching

 

I am a series of truths bundled into one being

I am something no one else can claim or mimic

You ask who I am?

The hardest answer I share;

I Am Me.