Legacies

This piece was inspired by Nikki Giovanni's poem titled "Legacies":
 
her grandmother called her from the playground
          "yes, ma'am"
          "i want chu to learn how to make rolls," said the old
woman proudly
but the little girl didn't want
to learn how because she knew
even if she couldn't say it that
that would mean when the old one died she would be less
dependent on her spirit so
she said
         "i don't want to know how to make no rolls"
with her lips poked out
and the old woman wiped her hands on
her apron saying "lord
         these children"
and neither of them ever
said what they meant
and i guess nobody ever does
 
I wonder if, even in my most effortful moments, I say to my children what I truly mean. Or say it in a way they can understand its essence. I sure try to pass down information or knowledge, express love, and say what I mean in the best way I know how. May our greatest legacy be love!
 
unframed; 5.25w x 8h x 1.5d; tweed, cotton, tulle, satin, linen, hemp, gold wire, wood beads, natural stone