I Am

I am the deep blue-green-gray-purple of the ocean’s icy depths.

I am the burning red-orange-gold of the hottest molten flow.

I am the burbling laughter of an eternal spring.

I am shards of moonlight falling in a silent symphony.

I am the pain so fierce it makes your bones ache, blood freeze, and your nerves sing.

I am warmth and softness to hold you in the darkest parts of night.

I am the tree that bends during spring’s harsh wind-storms,

the rock upon which all is built,

and the ever-changing sea.

I am words and letter, paper and ink, knowledge and the unknown.

I am wooden shoes that klomp along on ancient cobblestone,

flowers that grow from the earth, stolen from the sea.

I am wild violins, bright living colors, and an unquenchable thirst for change.

I am sacred chants, tobacco offerings, and trails of long-shed tears.

I am those who were lost, those who were beaten, and those who were confined.

I am eyes who saw more death than I can bear,

hands who slaved for those who hated me,

hearts that broke with every step I took,

and spirits that refused to be confined.

I am and I am not – scarred, tortured, tread upon and forgotten.

I am and I am not – alive, exuberant, determined and free.

I am intelligent and dumb,

can see and yet am blind,

can feel but could not tell how I know I do.

I am too big for my skin,

too small for my soul.

I am a life-giver, a caretaker, a lover, a woman.

 I am a poet, a dreamer, a philosopher, a human.

I am everything and nothing,

and all that’s in between.

I am.