by Chelsea Robb

I am from my little yellow pillowcase, from the sweet smell of the fabric in my cabinets and dish soap in the kitchen. I am from the eight big steps up to unit J-86, with blossoming pink petals by the black metal rails, the pale and grainy concrete porch and the tall avocado and cotton trees looming up front, swaying in the wind.

I am from the purple flowers and orchids in bushes brushing against me as I run, and the delicate white petals falling in my yard in February, wishing me a happy birthday.

I am from Islam and spending time with my friends in Ramadan, the rumbling of our scooters and skateboards on the concrete and the soft musk of our prayer mats, from the warm aroma of the savory kebabs and swapping my meals, from the buzz of excitement within my community as we share meals and laughter all around.

I am from entertaining our guests during Eid with song and dance. From dressing up and playing my Bollywood songs from the big computer.

I am from the buzzing bright shops in Hollywood, from big smiles and tired feet as a day goes by on the Walk of Fame. I am from riding bikes and playing with the touch tank in preschool, from playing duck-duck-goose on the big playground and accepting my defeat with the turntable I was too scared to go on.

I am from spending a long day playing with my neighbors, from the sound of the balls and jump rope thudding onto concrete and the crunch of the sand in the playground. From feeling the wind blow my hair, hearing the birds chirp, and smelling the earthy scent of life and youth, from the tired, contented feeling after a long day of playing outside. From my Bangla mixed with Russian as I hear my neighbors speak, from sharing pelmeni, honey cake, and biryani.

I am from laughter and old memories and a place I will never forget.

I am from the never-ending desire to CHANGE THE WORLD!

This piece was published in our 2026 anthology, A Secret Chord: Poetry, Stories & Art, by Out of the Woods Press.