Ancestors

A poem

I am protected.

And that’s on Angela

On Anita

On Helen

On Betty Jane

On my ancestors

Not just names

And faces on faded photos.

These days are dizzying

Have been since I opened my eyes

But I been steady

Steadied

From hands

Placed firmly on my back

These names are my clout

Blood and bone

Sinews and synapses

Provide not just

life force and electricity

But credibility

Don’t take my word for it,

Believe them:

I am today

Borrowed from and inspired by

Breath.

I am kept

By bodies that keep on keeping on

Their lives are my

Justification

For this fire

Forging my soul

So when I cock my neck to the side

Eyebrows dance in synchronicity

Don’t miss it

In between blinks

You may have witnessed my great-great-grandmother

Emerge from my own face

To put you on notice

That

They

have my back.