I come from sunny days, tropical rains and walking to and fro my neighbours’ homes
where daring students in our starched purple uniforms climb mango trees after school, for a refreshing taste of tropical joy
I come from a land of colorful celebrations and rhythmic afro beats
where talking drums announce the reason we are gathered
I come from grandma’s Ananse stories, mama’s spicy dishes and the rhythmic dances of all the family
where everybody is welcome to join in for the sumptuous feast. “Come one, come all,” mama invites
that makes me feel blessed to be part of a community that never stops giving
This is where I come from
Our third graders wrote and published their rendition of this poem. They mesmerized their parents when they read their poems aloud, at our recent learning conferences.
GIFTS 
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