She has given Earth to my body
Roots, ground and all
Put wind in my blood and dust to form bone
Celosia for my hair and dandelions for my feet.
She continues to provide me her love
With a sun-smile and star eyes—
She can’t imagine me elsewhere but here
For we are tied together like seed to soil.
Though she gives me land,
She is extraterrestrial
In her stride, on her shoulders, with her history
Yet they say Superman is hero.
She is the ocean that beckons to me
Wild yet gentle
Expansive and unexplored her love is…
She deserves this day
And all good days.
Earthbound, she still rises tall
Above the trees
Watching over me
This job of parenting is perilous but beautiful…
She sun-smiles.
Isioma West 