Kwanzaa

it is the light
of candles
that shines brightly
after a long journey
of darkness,
that empowers my soul
and proclaims my place
in the culture of humanity

it is the sounds that vibrate
across the earth with an echo
that whisper and sings my song

it is the smell of nameless souls
long gone, that was cast out
of the family of man, whose scent
dwells beneath my skin

it is the taste of
the pain of yesterday, with
the flavor of hope for tomorrow
proclaiming here I stand

it is the touching of my heart
with your heart
in joyful celebration
of the sacrifice of our ancestors