Dedicated to the ancestors and the elders

I am from the heavenlies
Hovering over a Wakanda that
transcends maps
I am from choppy waters
and chains broken

I am from Spirit-breathed spaces
in country and city
in West Virginia, South Carolina, New York

I am from
Ardelia and Joseph
Tena and Arthur
Laura and Gilbert

I am from
Aunties Nola, Kat, Tena, Cleo, and Irene
and Vern, Anne, Jeri, and Jojo

I am from Harriet and Sojourner and Ida
I am from Zora and Maya and Toni
I am from Stevie’s “I Wish”
and Marvin’s “What’s Going On?”
I am from Diana’s “The Boss”
and Chaka’s “I’m Every Woman”
I am Aretha’s “How I Got Over”
and from Mahalia’s “Move on up a Little Higher”

I am from Deborah and Huldah and Hannah
I am from Shiphrah and Puah
I am from Prisca and Junia
I am from the Marys
of Nazareth, Bethany and Magdala
I am from Jarena, Prathia and Millicent

I am from seeds of creative and curious contemplation
I am from deep and flowing rivers of resurrection
I am from that tree grounded
and waving fruit in her hands saying “Come and eat!”
I am from mute to voice
I am from shackled to free
I am from fear to love

© Sharon F. Fleshman, 2019

Your Call: Whose legacies are you being called to reflect on in this season of your life?  Based on your reflections, complete the sentence “I am from …” as it applies to you.