It's a snow day, and I'm loving it. I'm cozy at home with my Coqui mug full of cafe con leche, browsing the web for inspiration. I always check out The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which is one of my favorite sites to follow.  They are a landmark cultural institution on the Lower East Side with a tradition of poets, writers, artists, and musicians whose work spoke to the social, political, and economic issues Puerto Ricans faced in New York City in the 1960s and 1970s. They often offer live streams, some in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, with a lot of flair and wit. If you're into poetry and Puerto Rican culture, you should definitely check them out. 

I feel blessed to have this day off, I am also glad I was prepared for the storm. I have leftover arroz con pollo in my fridge, pasteles in the freezer, and plenty of Bustelo, milk, and other essentials for my Puerto Rican cravings. 

As I think about these things, I am inspired to write a little slam poem of my own.  I'm also watching Cozy TV, which reminds me of 90 shows, so in the style of the character from In Living Color, Calhoun Tubbs, who, if he wrote poetry, would say, "Wrote a few lines about it, want to read it? Here it goes!"

Born and bred on two islands

Born in the heart of the city that never sleeps

With childhood memories of slumber

to the coquí's lullaby

I am where Puerto Rico meets the streets of New York

In me, two worlds collide and meld

My roots run deep from the shores of la Isla del Encanto

To the bustling avenues of the concrete jungle

I carry the rhythm of salsa in my hips

And walk with the beat of hip-hop, freestyle, and R&B at my feet

I am the product of two vibrant cultures

A fusion of flavors, colors, and sounds

I speak with the cadence of my ancestors

And the swagger of the urban landscape

I take pride in breathing in the warmth of my island's breeze

And feel awe at the site of the city's skyline that pierces the sky

I know of Mr. Softee AND Payco

Of Double Dutch AND Toco Palo

Of Central Park AND El Yunque

I am the spirit of the projects of the Upper Westside

with the heart and soul

de los pueblos of Morovis and Orocovis

A tapestry woven with threads of resilience and pride

I wear my heritage like a badge of honor

A testament to the strength of my people

I am the legacy of those who came before me

And the promise of those who will come after

So, when you ask me where I'm from

I'll tell you I am Nuyorican, through and through

A child of two worlds, a tale of two islands, a force to be reckoned with

I am the embodiment of a rich, vibrant, and unapologetic culture

So, call me Boricua, call me New Yorker, call me Puertrican or Latina

I claim them all.