Born in the Air

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

Photo by Thomas Stephan on Unsplash

This poem was originally written and published July 14, 2024. It is and was a reaction to what I was observing and feeling in the world. The thing that I know is that change doesn’t come without turmoil. Change doesn’t happen without faith. May we move forward in this time with the fuel of faith to ease the chaos. 

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
She says,
Nothing can live here without faith and don’t you ever forget it.

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