From the Storms and the Stars

By Britta Fitzgerald
Inspired by Lion: A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley

I am from the storms and the stars
From the nights crowded with my brothers, dreaming
I am from the broken, mud building that was my home
Small but filled with happiness
I am from my brothers who taught me to live, to laugh
From my mom and my sister who taught me to love
I am from the twist of the alleys that raised me
From the smashed watermelon, red on the street
I am from the people crowded in them
From the smell of the food I can’t have
I am from warm bread and stolen fruit
From the gunshots that echoed as I ran with my prize
Just to put a little on the table
The taste of the mango, sweet in my mouth
I am from games with my brothers, adventures 
From days with my sister
she was always my responsibility
I am from that fateful day
From that joyful ride
I am from that bench, alone and lost
From that train that looked safe
But ended up as my prison
I am from my street skills
From my instinct
Remembering my days with my brothers
When they taught me how to survive
Missing their company when I was all alone
I am from these things that made me strong
From the things that made me, me
I am from the scraps and the pieces
From the storms and the stars and the lonely nights alone, dreaming.