gbongbo

I am from ata rodo.

from middle class struggles wrapped in piles of lace and ankara.

I am from Arlington Ave by way of Innis, Holland and E 59th.

and ’Itʼs always the second bump' no matter which way you're coming from.

I am from the omorogun; whose dealings were harsh, but still ate what was given.

I am from glorified hand-me-downs.

I am from Just for Me and The Lion King.

from Abiodun and sometimes Akindude- whenever it mattered.

and from hotter heads and from cooler tempers.

from Saturday morning

from family meetings

from house cleaning and dance contests

from afternoons spent giving to the needy

I am from “Blessed is the man…",

from weekly devotionals and Sunday school recitations.

from the Lion, from the Lamb.

from grace, and from glory.

from ogi and akara.

from names mispronounced.

from Uncle Gbengaʼs run-in with the Lord

from Aunti Kemiʼs running to the army.

from "I'll be right back…" to "do you remember me?”

from open wounds

from abandoned posts.

from locking myself up to document frustrations.

I am from the moments forced in the kitchen.

from growing up too soon, and coming out too late.

from wearing full armor with your heart on your sleeve.

from the top of the hour, from the bottom line.

from talking to God. from listening closely from too far away.

I am from promises broken--simply because they were never mine to keep.