Where I'm From
Giovanni Jacques

Where I'm From
by Giovani Jacques
I am fromÂ
Saturday morning bible studies,Â
men in suits preaching about Bondye,Â
and all that he sacrificed forÂ
me.Â
Â
I am from hours spent,// watching Palmettos swing in the breeze,// songbirds singing their divine songs,// of love, and// freedom.
I am from hours spent,Â
watching Palmettos swing in the breeze,Â
songbirds singing their divine songs,Â
of love, andÂ
freedom.Â
Â
I am from oak trees towering over Bolete mushrooms,Â
its mycelium in a bond with all the rootsÂ
of all the oak trees one could see. AllÂ
connected.Â
Â
I am from makak,Â
and wop kon jorge,Â
echoing from the lips of the ones you love,Â
the moment you happen to be less thanÂ
perfect.Â
Â
I’m from brothers badgering,Â
and pesky sisters,Â
and mothersÂ
love.Â
Â
I am from facetime calls with loved onesÂ
live from an island,Â
envy held on both sides of the screen,Â
both wishing to be in the shoes of the other,Â
both wanting toÂ
escape.Â
About the Writer...
Giovani Jacques is a first-generation Haitian-American writer hailing from Jacksonville, Florida. He describes writing as a unique outlet for him, using it to express complex concepts and ideas that otherwise wouldn't see the light of day.
About the Artist...
Nyriel Saures is a senior art major. She's been creating art ever since she was a little girl. Besides art, she really likes fashion too. She plans on continuing her artistic journey going into college and even after that.