Birthright

Child of Misty Isle, part of a new life and land
descendant of those who came from everywhere else
searching for something not found at home

Female line from a tribal people
displaced and dispersed by invaders and famine
perpetuating the same invasion upon other tribal peoples
mixing with the blood of the new land
forming a new clan

Child of immigrants, near and far
the perpetual movement of peoples across continents
ever seeking, ever dreaming of new ways to be

Father lines, new and old
born in places foreign to me,
fleeing oppression and madness in the old world
learning language anew, becoming American
creating a better life

That is the past of my peoples.
But what have they wrought in me?
Child of a New Land

Family lines, crisscrossing the globe
moving from place to place
always new, always outside
growing up military, insular yet expansive
knowing many cultures

Child of the World, embracing difference
becoming a woman
still  restless, still searching for Home

Gathering lines, multitudes joined
children, family and roots
distilling memories and traditions
discovering, who and what I am
beginning again

Woman of Earth, growing strong
planted in terra firma
Moving forward, another new life

My lines, encompassing those who came before
and all who will come after
continuing the quest
leading, a new century awaits
fulfilling a promise