I did not know as a child that one day these streets would mean so much to me: Williams, St. Mary’s, 27th, Essex and University. 

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On each one of their blocks I played with neighborhood kids who became close, to me, who I considered as my Southeast Family. 14 years living at 2825 Delaware St. as teen I couldn’t wait to move out, not yet understanding what true neighborhood was all about.

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Within this town of homes named Glen-Dale people living here knew how to dwell. Neighbors would borrow, barter, be sharing & caring all while carrying one another’s burdens. During my stay there were families from all types of places, friends consisting of many races. 

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Enrichment activities, daycares and stores, in this neighborhood we respected the policy of open doors. It was understood that what was mine was mine and what was yours was yours. Neighbors not only a phone call away but a door away, a yard away, a porch away, across the way, and a cut away. 

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Speaking of cuts I used them to walk to Luxton and Pratt in Prospect Park. Often times hanging out in several of the cuts parks. I remember those days, it was fun to be outside after dark. 

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I remember hikes to Super America, Food Basket, Subway and Riverside. Having several neighborhood kids always down to to ride, I’d swear Southeast was cool place to reside. 

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Secret crushes, fights, rumors, and neighborhood drama. My brothers shoes hanging from wires, I’d run home to tell my momma. 

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It was dope that us kids had our own neighborhood park, in the summer the pool  was best part. One of the worst was getting pushed in only to leave highly upset, loudly denouncing kids while walking home wet. 

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Meals with Grandma Whittaker who always handed out lunch, though not blood related the neighborhood parents appreciated her very much. Us kids swapping knickknacks going home with snacks on snacks on snacks. What a special time to see all of our neighborhood friends within one space, getting to lunch on time was worth the race. 

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In Southeast Glendale I experienced a lot of firsts. Rain or shine, happy or sad, at times I thought things couldn’t get any worse. Neighborhood parties and park sports teams, field trips with Youth Line that encouraged my dreams. 

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Big thanks to Ann Munt, Pat-trice, Ms. Carol, Buffy, Chris, Katrina and Pookie…Tracey, Buckie, John Outlaw, Sharina and several others… for holding space that was safe for my Southeast sistas and brothas. 

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There is soo much to share and much more that I am not going to say. Before I go I’ll end this SpeechPoem in this way. 

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Rest in love to all who we’ve said bye to together, because of this neighborhood, they’ll be in our memories forever:

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Miss Hill & Dayna 
Grandma Whittaker & Ms. Marylin
Wilma & Ms. Carol
Michelle & Momma Jean
Lisa & Heather 
S2 aka Twoie & Tellz 
Philando & Taneka 
Marvin & Protho
Buggie & Bill
James (JJ) & Jerome 
Nakia 

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If there is anyone I’ve missed don’t charge it to my heart. Thanks for reading, listening and all of your time. I’ll exit now, the pleasure was all mine ❤️.