We are too familiar with this field
We know that we cultivate our homes
Athenry state of mind
We only yield when it's time to harvest
So where are you from, originally?
Because we are not the dead branch of a diasporan tree
Yes, we bear different fruit from our family tree
We offer different produce to the family feast
But there is no hiding these proofs
There are no lies in these roots
We are unashamed of our heritage
We have nothing to prove
And sometimes there's a pain in these roots
That our being is anchored to
But you will see beauty when this forest grows
You will see us for what we are
We are the same stem, with different leaves
The same love, with different means
The same heart, with different dreams
The same journey, just with different wings
So where are you from?
Where are you from, originally?
Pair/Group Activity:
Limerick-based artist Denise Chaila blends rap, spoken word, and Irish and
Zambian culture to brilliant effect. Yet, there are lots of references and
allusions which you will not understand at first glance.
1. Use team work skills to divide
up the bold vocabulary in the
song above.
2. Use reference skills to research
the words and their definitions.
3. Jot the vocabulary and
definition into your copy.
4. Be prepared to orally feedback
your answers.
5. Think-Pair-Share: Chaila uses
the metaphor of nature to
describe the complexity of our
evolving cultural heritage and
race. Re-read the red sections above and discuss the question: ‘How does
Chaila use this extended metaphor (nature) to explain human kind.’
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