Let The Fire in Your Belly Rise Up!

by Rachel M

Seven years of age, I was getting some lunch

A man was standing by

Who didn’t look like much

He walked up to me and whispered in my ear

Only loud enough so that I could hear

Let the fire in your belly rise up

Two years later

I was singing in the choir

When a woman came up

Named Miss Myer

She pointed her finger at me

To come near

And leaned down to me

So that only I could here

Let the fire in your belly rise up

Another year past

I was playing with some friends

Doing crazy stuff

Like backbends

When my friend Miya

Hugged me close

Looked me in the eye

Before sayng goodbye

To say

Let the fire in your belly rise up

Four years older

I’m sittin’ with my family

When my Elder stands up

And puts a hand on me

Let the fire in your belly rise up

I nod my head

Because I finally understand

In order to do my purpose

That I was born to do on this land

I must

Let the fire in my belly rise up

Forty years wiser

With a full head of grays

I watch the spring breeze

Of beautiful May

I have three healthy grandchildren

What is there then to say

Except

The Lord God of Israel has blessed me

Even until this day

I hold them each on my lap

Lean down so they can hear

The advice I’ve been using

For many,many years

Let the fire in your belly rise up!

( Note: This poem was a dedication to Rachel's cousin Cameron for his second cycle feast)