Janella at the NYPL

I always felt like 
I was the daughter of 
someone important

that this woman
whom I called “mom”
was little more than a servant

I couldn’t belong
to such a family
that appeared so ignorant

I heard about 
myself in songs

caught glimpses 
of myself in films

and was certain
I could learn 

who I really was 
from books

and in this
I wasn’t wrong