PRESENT-DAY DNA
EDITOR’S NOTE: This collaboration was written by Hugh Crow II and Chris Ainsworth (text in italic). As the poem took shape, each writer had only the first word in each line to construct the next line; everything else was hidden. Essentially the first word of each line was a gift left by the writer of the previous line. This can be read as two individual poems or as a whole.
Feel free to express the lesser-known self, aspects of DNA often left on the shelf
Freedom felt as waves crash, rain striking ship's mast while children
reflect mostly on content. Prepare an evening around events that lend a
hand, in hand. Was the trip across the ocean all that you planned? It
began to see heritage as a strong bond to the past, full of mystery and historical
fact. How did planting feet on new earth make you react? Are you
happy? Many a question worth exploring, like is this new world full of milk and
honey? Was it the freedom you expected? Did it come easy or were you
apprehensive? Many a claim to being German without implying superiority, instead
embrace the thoughts of what was to come. Into a new world, into a new
life. Chances are I'm all of what came before, the pursuit of peace and
prosperity. Living how you want to, freely. Exchanging comfort for the
unknown, visualized the French Renaissance and oil-painted wars come to mind.
Explored the concepts of the mind and what was left behind. If
empowerment can be found in the discovery of those who left a message from the
past. And as we look into the future does our bloodline last? Do we
link between ancient times and present? Full of hope that the Irish might actually be
lucky. To find happiness where we can, gapping generations and land to
land. Free to be me, in the end it’s beauty, and I can hardly wait to
see, completing the unity of country and family.
HUGH CROW II WAS MOSTLY RAISED IN BEND, OREGON. HE IS AN ENROLLED AS A CHEROKEE TRIBAL CITIZEN ON HIS DAD’S SIDE. HE IS MOSTLY DUTCH ON HIS MOTHER’S SIDE. HE BEGAN WRITING RAP LYRICS AND PRIVATE THOUGHTS IN A JOURNAL AT TWELVE OR THIRTEEN. THE POWER OF WORDS ARE ENCOURAGING TO HIM AND PROMOTES HIS GROWTH.
CHRIS AINSWORTH IS OF ITALIAN-SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE. HE HAS ALWAYS LOVED ARRANGING WORKS ON PAPER. MUCH OF HIS ENERGY HAS BEEN CREATING AND SHARING SPOKEN WORD AND WRITING SONG LYRICS.
