Who are my ancestors?
Descendent of lightning,
Hydrogen atoms from the dawn of the universe aerate my lungs.
Iron traces of stellar explosions course through my veins.
The regenerative power of starfish fuels my creativity.
The adventurous courage of amphibians quickens my gait.
Begat from paramecium and gingko trees,
My great, great grandfather an amoeba,
My grandmother a cherry blossom.
I will become rain.
From Painting Enlightenment © 2019 by Paula Arai
Reproduced in arrangement with Shambhala Publications