Arlene Perez

Where I’m From

I am from crochet carpetas
from cacerolas and Maseca
I am from the loud turtle tank filter
to the aroma and coziness of canela
I am from the freshness and sweetness of a guayaba tree
The tallness beauty of a canna lily
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.

I’m from curly hair and making tamales
from my mother and grandmother
I’m from rezando to santitos and eating good Mexican food
and from supporting each other.

I’m from ‘te quiero’ and ‘pórtate bien’
and ‘ponte las pilas’
I’m from eating pan dulce con el chocolate abuelita
I’m from Gilroy, California
and Zacatecas y Michoacán México
having family traditions
To staying home and away from family