I’m from the American dream,

from a rich family with expectations of a 4.0 GPA and a full time job,

from attempts to make me grow up like them.

I’m from the dreams of kids who think they know how I live,

from false perceptions of my “perfect” life,

from a place of “I love you” and “I love when you turn your back”.

I’m from jobs I’ve been working since 14,

from jobs that forced me to grow up,

from full time summers, forced to ignore “come on bro come over”.

I’m from a world of deer, datsuns, and dollars,

from working on cars at night with my friends,

from hobbies that my family doesn’t understand.

I’m from friends who know me more than my family,

from friends I can trust with thoughts in my head,

from friends who struggle with me.

I’m from a past of losing trust from my family,

from a past I’ve worked hard to ensure won’t repeat,

from a past that’s a bad memory.