Roots

from "Deep Breaths"
by Leo Shelton

My roots are a safe place
External as well as internal
They run as long as the Cumberland River
And as deep as the values of Look Out
Within a family, a community, a culture

They take shape in the twang in my voice
In the jive in my walk
Or the greetings of elders
Or defense of my origins
Strangely, but uniquely from my own individual but collective perspective

Spreading out like limbs of a tree
Full of diversity
And connected spirits
But strangely, uniquely
Connected and separated all at once

It is who I am,
Who I’m supposed to be
How others see me
What I would like others to see
And the reality of what is…
And what is not!

These are my roots!
Tying me to what was,
Giving me the range to come into what is
Connecting me to what will be,
And grounding me in all possibilities, challenges,
Humbling me in life and self