From the moment of my birth
I knew I was meant to inhabit this earth
The creamy warm desert sand
Reassured me
that this would forever
be my land
From the moment my ancestors were free
They knew exactly who I was destined to be
This fearless, bold version of me
God blessed me and promised to show me the way
And be by my side
until I’m old and gray
Til my very last breath
and my dying day
I made a commitment to work hard
and be kind
And he promised
I will always find
Unparalleled success
if I continue to grind
The years on the plantation took their toll
On the hearts of my ancestors
and their collective soul
Some were strung up
and from lynchings
they died
For countless years
they suffered and cried
Many asked, why?
And looked for the answer
from the night stars in the sky
Was the direction to freedom
the way the birds fly?
God’s purpose
is love and unity
Not this division and dissension
We continue to see
All I know
Is that I will continue to be
This fearless, bold
brave version of me.
Arianna Shaprow is a poet and activist. Her poetry has been displayed in museums and featured on news outlets across the country, including ABC, Fox, CBS, and NBC.