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Poetry On Odyssey: Heritage?

A poem about not knowing your heritage, from the black perspective.

Nakita Kira Tsunami

May 14, 2019

Illinois State University

https://unsplash.com/photos/9cx4-QowgLc

Heritage, what's that

I'm black

I have no other answer

I draw blanks

Embarrassment

Confusion

I don't know

I don't know!

There's this emptiness

Like something is missing

As though a continent shape hole

Was carved into my mind

Into my soul

I don't know

Who I am

Where did I come from

I WISH I could take a trader finger

And draw a map that charts where I began

I feel ignorant yet I pride myself in my knowledge

There isn't an index or glossary

For the uncharted

The unmentioned

The undeclared

The undone history

Of what I see in the mirror

My family looked at me with tilted heads

And squinted eyes when I asked how do you define tradition? What is our heritage?

One family member responded

Heritage, what does that mean?

So now I know that knowledge is beyond my reach and I apologized and left feeling defeated

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Poetry On Odyssey: Heritage?

A poem about not knowing your heritage, from the black perspective.

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

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11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

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14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

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