Paper Dreams

A collage of vintage looking papers with the words, "Paper Dreams."
Angel Jackson
By Angel Jackson
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This is a piece about my upbringing so that others will know who I am.

I am a Black girl who loves to write.

I am from plastic barrettes,
from Oil Sheen hairspray and glycerin
I am from the gravel above the back-deck patio
gray and rough, like the bark from an oak tree.  
I am from the transvaal daisy,
the zanzibar gem  
that is easy to grow,
a favorite among house plant growers 

I am from baked macaroni and cheese and eczema 
From Xina and Salina. 
I’m from the I-know-I cans
and pass-it-downs, 
from speak up to speak more.
I’m from He gave light to my soul 
with a new unicorn 
and ten prayers I often say myself. 

I’m from St. Peters and the Jacksons, 
yams and Ginger Ale 
From the extra finger my father was birthed with
to the mark on my brother’s forehead from
falling on concrete 
outside on a sunny day with my mother. 
I am from the leather double-sided
photo album under the coffee table,
filled with the memories
of those before me, 
and, one day, after me, too.
Those moments are snapshots 
of who I know I am.
I am a Black girl who loves to write.

Process

The picture albums on the coffee table in my home served as my inspiration. Every now and then, I take a look at them to think about the moments that make me the person I am today. I decided to focus on my family background and childhood memories, so I could paint a picture of how I present myself in the world today. I was also inspired by many of the community studios, one of which was The Adventures of Storytelling. In this community studio, I was able to bring my poetry work to life as I focused on my past and considered how I might combine my memories into a single piece that represented me.

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Angel Jackson

Angel is most passionate about public health, creative writing, and volunteering. Angel did not become passionate about all these things…

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Collections
Girls Write Now Here &…
Genre / Medium
Poetry
Prose Poetry
Topic
Coming of Age
Family
Identity
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