Roots

I am from

Reinhold Niebuhr and Cornel West on every bookshelf in the house

From Holy Communion and Black History Quiz Bowl.

I am from

“I brought you into this world and I’ll take you out”

And

“Your grandaddy was a freedom fighter.”

I am from kudzu

Whose stubbornness and beauty flourish

Even

When it’s not supposed to.

I am from black eyed peas and collard greens

From

“Spiritual but not religious”

and

“We shall overcome”

I am from Adelaide, Leslie, Walter, and Patsy

From mutual aid and really free markets

And Friday night dance parties.

I am from sermon writing and

Annotated bibliographies.

From

“Honey Chile…”

and

“The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want”

I take from these moments to make myself kinder

And even

More ferocious.