Where I am from
I am from the dark soil of vineyards
first seeded by Roman conquerors
and still yielding a famous Riesling
on the high slopes of the Rhine River.
I am from the dimmed hopes
of parents who rarely spoke of
war-time childhood wounds
but nursed them to the bitter end.
I am from Viking blood,
the early ones who left
known earth behind
to sail into the distant horizon.
I am from Africa’s
red savannah dust,
still searching for Grandfather’s face
among the strangers of the world.
I am risen from the burning stakes
of the Middle Ages,
quick to anger when dark forces
corral women and children.
I am a refugee from
the harsh religion of science;
I find shelter with plant spirits
and the un-nameable wisdom
of deep green trees.
Annette Naber
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thanks for the re-post!
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Lovely poem and reflections on our/your origins Annette.
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Thank you, Brad, I love that you placed yourself into the experience and expanded it to reflect “our” origins as humans. Germany may be my “fatherland” but Africa will always be the “motherland.”
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That seems like an interesting mix. Did you live in both or simply your family origins?
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I think my DNA would mostly be a mix of European bloodlines; however, all human ancestry originated in the Motherland. There’s more to say about my personal connections to Africa, but too complex to put into a comment format. I might write a post about it….some day.
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Thanks for indulging my curiosity. Yes, humans seem to have originated in Africa. I hope you do write a post.
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I am mesmerized by your poem, Annette.
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That’s a great compliment, Cornelia. Can you say what it is that you resonate with?
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I think it’s just the choice of beautiful language.
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Wonderful writing, Annette. We all have so much history in our ancestry. Your poem awakens my interest in mine.
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Glad to hear it – I’m sure there is lots to discover.
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Well written!
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