My Roots

I am from decapitated teddy bears and mix match socks,
from kool-aid and 25 cents ice pops.
I am from the sound of sticks glided across the metal fence
I am from weekly character building techniques which usually involved a lot of lashes supported by little reasoning.
the street lights
whose timing determined whether I got a lesson or a homework pass

I am from pink moisturizer and shiny black school shoes.
I'm from It wasn't me's and Ohhhh I'm telling's.
From Answer me when I'm talking to you and Don't talk back.
I'm from Circle,Circle,Dot, Dot, Now I got my cootie shot

I'm from Burt and Ernie
 from cheerios and apple juice
From the black eye my brother got from a 9 year old when he was 13.
From the whooping my mother gave him afterwards

I embrace the things most chose to forget.
I hid my emotions in a notebook
Locked down my memories in a flip-book
Called out my agonies with a pen
Never saying a word
Because where I'm from, You're best option is to stay quite