Human Quilt

The tapestry that is me,

woven painstakingly,

is cut from the sleeve,

of the sharecropper's shirt;

a child of bondage, Africans,

who wiped the sweat from his brow,

reaching out, reaching up.

It is from the Native cloth of the chieftain,

and his people,my people,

proud and strong,

reaching out, reaching up.

The Irish immigrants, who arrived

on the shores of Ellis Island,

in search of a better life,

reaching out, reaching up.

Parlez-vous, Francais? The spoken language

of maternal ancestors,

reaching out, reaching up.

All so that I could see freedom,

live proud and strong,

dream of a better life, and,

celebrate my uniqueness.

In times less P.C.,

I was asked, "What are you?"

Upon looking at me,

clearly seeing, an amalgamation

of all components of my being.

This rich tapestry, woven painstakingly,

intricately, lovingly,

comprise a human quilt;

each part equal and necessary,

to form complete wholeness.

With every fiber of my being,

I thank them all.