I am from

I'm from tangled hair sun licked and snarled

damp cheeks kissed by the ocean's lips

sandy skin toasted by loving days rays

thick muddied toes and sweet honey grins

I am from laughter

from tide pools

from clay

and from mountains

from lava

from rain

from forests

from fountains

I am from Hāloa I

hold my roots firm and proud

I'm from the ever watchful moon

from sunny people of the isles

of the deep and noble sky and

its treasured veils of lights

from tall crests and long canoes

rolling waters wild and smooth

I breathe with my ancestors

walk with their cultured pearls

bow my head for these blessings

thankful home is still here

* * *

I am from

Native displacement

cold encampments on pavements

from two jobs exhaustion outpriced overbought and

from gentrified fetishized plagiarized genocide

yet I am still here

oh yes we are still here

© M.Lee, All rights reserved