I Am From...

by Nicolette A. Velasquez
September, 2011

The following is a poem my daughter Nikki has composed for an English class.  She shared it with me on Facebook and well, you can imagine a father's response.  I'm sharing it with you and would love to hear your replies.

Thank you in advance.

I am from Steve and Dawn,

But also Mark and Michele

The girls and Michele

We are Inkybink, Breezy, and Samonkey

Sissy's

I am from fire trucks, and ambulances

And "I’ll be right back."

With Daddy South Amboy Engine 7

I was from "Stop fighting!"

Which became "Why is daddy packing?"

I am from "What happened to Daddy’s office?"
I am from the Twin Towers

Nikki at Ground Zero Oct. 2001

I am from that little street next to the VFW,

But also that townhouse down in Morganville

Painting Brianna's bedroom Summer 2006

I am from "Time for church!"

From platano's at Abuela’s and ravioli at Gmom’s

Platanos

Dante, Akyra, Boo, Chewy, and Crash are all a part of me

I am from frogs, frogs, and more of mom’s decorative frogs

Boo & Chewy

I am picnics, Little Tikes houses, and a hammock

From "What foreign country did you help this summer?"

Nikki in Haiti - Nov. 2010

I am from the need to help people,

And talking with my hands to people who don’t speak with their voices

Nikki signing at her grandfather's funeral - 2010

I am from memories on Daddy’s camera,

And my family that I love