CREATIVE WRITING: ‘True Americana' by Sarah Williams
The backbone of America
is built on their “rootz”
tilled deep into the ground.
Men, women, children
standing, bent to tend the crops
or hauling, lifting
always heavy, and always, up and down.
No matter what the weather
you’d find them working still
‘til all light of day was gone
no way to carry on.
Their backs
cry out in pain
knowing they must rise a-gain
tomorrow
it would always be the same.
Long days
hot days
cold or rainy days
of life-shortening, grueling labor. All for that opportunity
that promise of a chance
just to make things better
then they ever were before.
But THIS young mother knew
there had to be a change.
That mother
who’s tough as leather, strong as nails ... yet, gentle as a summer rain.
Work those crops
scrub and cook
and keep those children clean.
Her husband was a good man
struggling to fulfill her dreams
There
always by her side
his strength, her solace
it was his love, it seems.
But mama works
and mama dreams
and keeps her children praying
that tomorrow
there will be a better way.
And she will work
and she will pray
and she will guide them all
to see that better day.
She had a vision
this mother
this angel in disguise.
THAT ONE DAY………but all those restless children
couldn’t visualize.
And then there were the children
little time to play
or even just be kids …maybe another day.
They cried and tried to pray
to stop this awful need
but she knew
it was the education
that would fulfill
their dreams.
The oldest helped the youngest
and so it went, each day…
Knowing when you pull together
you’ve found the better way.
And so one day
that oldest child
diploma in his hand
his ticket to a better life
he walked out on the land.
He knew he couldn’t stay
knew he had to get away
from all that poverty & pain.
Be proud of where you came from
and how you’ve calmed that need
be proud of who you are now
you earned it
seed by seed.
So look around
children of the present ... she is one of the reasons
you are
who you are, today.
The fortunate recipient of her dreams
her strengths
her compelling love
all done the Garcia way.
She knew when you work hard
always striving, for what you want
it makes your value soar.
Together, you have struggled
you’ve traveled oh so far
even set your values
deep within your core,
.
So Smile
loving mother
I honor you
THIS way.
Your dreams have been fulfilled
and your hair is now in gray
You sit among your family
probably
50 strong today.
You welcome sons and daughters
grand and great-grand-babies
wives and spouses
even other ladies.
Now it’s, “grandma loves you”
“grandma’s here”
“let grandma fix that for you”
“‘cuz grandma, ALWAYS loves you”
“let grandma
kiss away those tears”.
“Who are these people?”
others ask me
“Where are they from?”
“You don’t recognize them?” I ask.
They are Americans
built from “rootz” deep in the ground.
Pioneers, yes
immigrants
like us all.
They have risen from the soil
it was there friend
it was their foe
their labors tell their story
of not so very long ago.
This mama is the glue that binds them all
and though they bicker and they fight
and sometimes they don’t even call
they are ALL her children
and they honored HER this night.
And yes, she is the glue
she’s made them part, of WHAT they are
the backbone of America
and now a glimpse of WHO they are
True Americana.
