My Parents Raised Me Strong

my Ima is strong like both forest and fire

a blaze that can take your breath away

and provide home for many

-

my Aba is strong like root and trunk

arms spread to hold the sky

will never let anything fall

-

my Ima helicopter hover

my childhood bubble

yet wide eyed opened

to so much

-

my Aba presents the past

my retro music education

and hard worker ethic

too much

-

my Ima holds her head high

my Aba never lets her tumble

they both hold me together

in both blaze and root

-

strong voice

compassion

ethics and values

-

they are both giants in their own ways

they are resilient and hard working

they are solid in their identities

they are consistent in their finalities

-

my Ima fiercely stands her ground

unapologetic passion

my Aba with weight of world on shoulders

unshakable drive

-

they’ve raised me in both earthquake and tornado

in gentle breeze and calm seas

in tsunami and eruption

-

and now,

I try to balance both blaze and blow

without being overshadowed

or seen as too bold