My body leaves, my heart stays

Today, I leave the Motherland
But the gifts I carry in my bags
Do not compare to the precious treasures
I hold dear in my heart
Oh, Mother Africa
You have shown me truths
I have not known from reading books
I should have questioned the lies they told me
You knew your child was oceans away
Yet, I could still hear you whispering my name
Admist the din of distractions that kept me distant
You beckoned me to hold a space open to discovery
You cleared a path for me to bear witness to myself
You sent my systahs to embrace me, dance with me
Tell me stories that stitched our lives into a glorious pattern
You fed me plantains, porridge and peace of mind
I suckled inspiration from your breast
Listened to your heartbeat
Found home

(c) 2011 S. Renee Mitchell