dear boy

you were born
with a roar
dwelling deep
within the soul
of my sister.

the soul
that has loved me dearly
for every breath of my life.
writing plays
singing songs
holding hands,
guiding this little girl /me
as I looked up
starry-eyed
at her —
my big sister.

for you see,
her soul,
was born of our mother —
your grand.
dear boy,
I beg you
listen to the life of her
when she is named —

that force of nature,
graced this earth
with
presence
resilience
toughness
stubbornness
generosity
humor
and
love.

oh dear child,
her love was strong,
like the georgia pines
from which she grew.

that fierceness
of love
was passed down the generation.
it lives in your mother
and now
it lives
in you.

that roaring heart
is a gift
for it protects you,
loves you
and is you.

your heart roars
just like your mama’s
just like her mama’s mama
and the ones before.

the bellow inside you
(you soon will learn)
is the undercurrent of your blood
guiding the life that you give to the world.