Embracing Memories


By Gemi Treadwell

 What do memories represent?

Do we remember  when community was our family?
​We were born in Memphis and grew up
​on the mighty Mississippi river bluff.
Soul folks who were influenced by the river’s culture and
​lived close by each other
got along with one another we
​fit together like fingers in a glove.
We showed  respect for each other
​families taught values -  like showing love.
We were culturally based practicing self -sufficiency
sharing and exhibiting care for those in need.
We were spiritually rooted like most “front porch people”,
​featuring two parent households with dedicated  breadwinners; 
​influenced by religious figures as strong minded civic leaders
unifying residents around social issues and politics.
       Let us engage the memories to redefine our reality
       To be ourselves  learning to be us better
        To fix what has been broken - seeing ourselves as whole
         being serious about the future - passionate about our
         Reason for being ... Sensitive in our roles - standing in our identity
        Inner standing that we must become one voice that speaks for all
        Breathing our claim telling truths in our own words as willing our
       Survival...

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