I am soil rain and sun A mestizo fingerprint Seen in my genetic blueprint of brown eyes hair and skin Born in bastard sin Like many of my kind They're the ones the silicon valley tech boom left behind To struggle to rent A tiny apartment for a family of five By the end of the month no money to eat No milk for the tiniest mouth I am welfare, food-stamps and minimum wage jobs A Native American descendant Of an alcoholic father co-dependant Typical large Mexican family divided Never had any American traditions At my birth my fate was decided My one true positive trait I was given by accident Because of my Mexican descent I am a gang-banger a lazy wetback I am the eastside with cousins sprawled across San Jose Sometimes embarrassed by their lack of intelligence And poverty that is too real for me Covered in brand names of people I will never meet and trivial complaints I am every stereotype wrapped into one Because when I was younger I avoided the sun I didn't want to be dark I am alive And for my piece of this dream I will strive I will be born again Societal constraints giving me power To peer into the deep, black; blue water of racist intentions The sweat of my peers Mixed with my grandparents tears Is a power no one can take No law No politician No bigot beautician who expects I won't leave a good tip I am a landscaper and I watch your children and clean your hotel rooms. That's what I am This is me I am she Manifest destiny