To know you is to know me
He said if you look upon the Son
… you will see the Father
So, you and I are one

Separated by centuries
you have shaped me
Mary <-to-> Samuel <-to-> Jarrette
<-to-> Mary <-to-> Ola <-to-> me

Born in this new world
into an old hatred
… 1800 wasn’t so long ago

Could you have imagined me?
educated, free, wealthy
land owner, self owner

Could you have imagined us?
freely mingling, giving ourselves to your master
creating a new generation:
        copper-haired, fair skinned
        educated, free, wealthy
        land owners, self owners

And what of your mother?
I searched for her, finding only cattle:
        mulatto, f, 34
        black, m, 21

You weren’t named until 1870
given the name of His mother
His Father’s chosen: Mary
enslaved mary

In me, Mary, is your freedom
from your womb through mine
freedom … freedom Mary … you are free