Born in the Air

A poem about being born during historical moments of change and unrest

Photo by Thomas Stephan on Unsplash

We are the seeds brought to the new world
Scattered and then gathered.
Some of us born in the air
To mothers who sprouted wings and flew great distances
So they could birth us freely
Without judgement
Without bondage.
Born in the air
Caught by grandmother’s hands
My first memory
Her voice washing over me
Commanding me to open my eyes
And look around.

I can not separate the past from the present
The fire from the firmament 
The valley from the shadow of death
I fear nothing
My bones know everything
They ache to make things right.

When you are born in the air
And your grandmother catches you
She shapes your head
Turns your face to the sun
Whispers into your ear the secret to surviving
Nothing can live here without faith
Don’t you ever forget it.

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