Where I’ve Been Where I’m Goin’ &

by: Stacey Fragile

If you asked me a few years ago I’d say…

I’m from a broken place that had no space to nurture me

I was planted in a place where pain was a comforter

My purpose was to comfort her

Mama and 4 babies under 1 comforter

I’m from a place where a good man is something you’d only hear about when momma and her friends prayed for one

A place where women did it all but be happy

Up by 4 white polo tucked into khakis; depression and poverty is a uniform

Self love was an unknown luxury,

Wondered who’s prayer he was answering that he … couldn’t get to me

Diree cole was my luxury

I’m from a place where misery loves company

Where company is my mother

I wonder.. if my shoulders carried her pain long enough to give her a break

Stay outta grown folks business but wipe grown woman’s tears

Becoming momma was my biggest fear

Church on Sunday praying God answers one day

Prayers for when it’s my turn to make better decisions

Praying she’s see what he did to me in a vision

Praying this self inficted incision makes things better

Where mommas at work so I’m learning from the televisions

I’m from where the hood isn’t just something that covered ya head, it held the dead,

Only superpower I had was how to fnd a shortcut and how to make grown men in minivans follow my lead

Where these 2 feet got me everywhere i wanted to be but not where i need

Never understood the point of planting a seed if you never intended on watering it

Where my only job is school and babysitting

Where this poem is called back talk and by 15 Haiti know me before I understand my identity

Where you know you’re loved cause the lights on

A product of your environment is what they promise

A snitch if ya honest

“Loyalty is stolen like a pair of air pods”

“Where the term nigga was exchanged for dog”

Link up on exchange, to exchange ya pain for wasted time. Link up with ya ex cause things change and you don’t wanna waste all that time

Where playgrounds turn into memorials

Where prayers are freestyles

Where being black make you f t the profle

Where a pretty dress on Sunday means your saved

“Where we smoked so much”

“Where playing hide and seek with ya smile is a lifestyle”

If you ask me today, I’ll tell you..

I’m from Hell’s backyard but there is a piece of heaven in me

Because mama prayed for me even when i wasn’t connected spiritually

Mess with me and you mess with heavens lead and become a casualty

Respectfully momma turned enough cheeks for her and me, so i won’t hesitate to abuse you verbally

Technically, even David got a lil physical biblically

Whether your a lion a bear or Goliath you put no fear in me

I’m from a place where i understand my momma did her best, Where she’s the best version of me

Where I’m teaching my lil ones how to be better than me

Teaching them Gods grace self love and wisdom is the Krabby Patty recipe

A place where understanding i don’t have to understand is my peace

Where my purpose is to get kids off the streets, where i pray on purpose

Picked up the phone and found out my calling is to use this voice

Figuring out how i react is my choice

Where my fathers graveyard turned into a school yard

The lesson is he is risen, for us

The son taught me today ain’t promised, and the spirit help me forgive to be forgiven

I’m from a place that has no hold on me, can’t shit I’ve done be used to blackmail me

Our dearly beloved we are gather here today to put who you knew to rest

Hello! It’s me, Sea! I am a 25-year-old frst-generation Haitian American, a woman of God dedicated and called to advocate for women and youth. At a young age, writing became an outlet for me when my voice didn’t feel loud enough. Ironically, a piece of paper with words became louder than my voice. This outlet has provided a space for healing, self-awareness, and empowerment for myself, other women, and youth of color. And I pray it continues to reach the right people.

Stacey Mitchell

Boston