6100
My earliest recollection
Standing there in front of Grandmother's curio cabinet
Staring at the picture of the dark-skinned people in the frame
They resemble me, but darker
Deep hues captured by shadows and light
Detailing the beads of sweat and look of constant frustration
It was much warmer then
The lines in their face has stories written upon them
The bright in their eyes, screaming at hope
A past thesis for the future smiles, that we are privileged to witness now
Presents us struggled
We display survival
Surpassing our predecessors only in color
Lacking their heart
Heard beating on the picture during developing
Every once in a while
Shaking the frame
I stand there frozen, as a child
Staring at those pictures in Grandmother's curio cabinet
Counting how many times the frames shook on the shelf
It wasn't something I heard
It was something I felt
Goosebumps on my arms carrying the message of those with masters
"Soon and very soon
We are going to See the King!"
I left every year
To spend 365 days
Hoping backwards
