I am from the center of my mother’s world
from joy and compassion and uncertainty
from love nickels placed in the palm of my hands by my Nana
from Admiral St. and Orchard St. and Dickerman St.
I am from hot bread and starched dresses lovingly created by Nana
from patent leather shoes, white gloves, and 35 cent sundaes
from cheerleading and track and nursing school
into a family that blends this country with Nevis
I am from love and laughter and tears of joy
from silly laughter when it tickles my gut
from dancing and singing and tap and drums
from sweet potato pie and apple dumplings
I am from kitchen sink soup and cinnamon twists
from dancing school and girl scouts and weekend gatherings
from teaching and sharing and nurturing with joy
to blossoming into who I am
I am from the earth and the sky and the birds
from flights of ideas that race across the page
from song that flows from my pen to fill my soul
from you and us and we and they and all that is the universe
I am from the energy of love and joy and caring and compassion
from this world and the next and what is in between
from everywhere and nowhere and here and there
to bringing me love and caring to here and now
I am from almost not being here because it was almost taken
And so it is with gratitude that I come from what I am from!
© Hilda Ward, 2011
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| Sky and the flight of ideas; photo by Tony Russell |
