nostalgia

as my skin weathers from the winter frost,

i close my eyes and embrace my loss.

my eyelids cast a darkness over the retina,

but the blackness becomes subsided by a light.

suddenly, my frosted arms melt at the warmth of the Calabrian sun.

her tenderness enveloping me like a vice.

she beckons and winks at my state,

bellowing for my return as my ancestors wait.

she tells me they watch over from our homeland,

she tells me I am them.

my ancestors are in the darkness of my hair

they hide in the waves that cascade from my shoulders

they swim in my velvety, olive skin

and they shimmer in my smile.

she reassures me that no matter how far we are, they follow me wherever i go