My Step Great-Great Grandmother

Is turning 101 today.

That’s my favorite number

By the way

I wonder how it feels

To be that old

To experience the world

All fleeting and bold

I wonder how it was

Back in 1923

When racism was high

Filling the sky with screams

But she’s still alive

She’s prevailed

Not in a nursing home

Still alive and well

Her mind’s not the same

But her family is here

And I wonder, when I’m old

Will my family be there?

101 is my favorite number

It seems a curse to live that age; a blessing

Feed me to the trees if I ever live that long….

***

_(Traveling all the way to where they live to go celebrate. I have on my academic core wear. Her last birthday I cried and my parents were pissed. I’ll do better._

_Happy Birthday Grandma! I love you.)_