My Blackness is Afro-Latine

My blackness comes from the sun of the Caribbean, 

On islands rich with passionate dishes and stubborn love 

That sung of guava lullabies, sweet enough to hope for a 

Life promised better by the land of golden street walks. 

My blackness comes from the shores that glimmer

Like the stained glass windows on Sunday morning. 

Within each step, a footprint left on the pearl beaches 

Of islands that birthed arroz con habichuelas. 

My blackness comes from my brother, my father, 

My tio and all of his children. 

Their skin shimmers in the evening glow, 

Leaving all in great wonder to those who witness their beauty. 

My blackness comes from love, pain, suffering, success, 

And it comes from home.

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