I am, to my family; a son, a brother, a grandson. br I am, to my people; a neighbor and a friend. br I call upon the spirits on the horizon, br and they allow some knowledge to descend... br br I look up to the presence that is me, br and I tell myself of all the things i could be: br br I am STATUS! br I am part of the societies that ceate US. br br My life is what I and others have made it; br I am simply a part of it. br br I tell myself of this, br being certain that nothing remains amiss: br br I am the great hair of the sky; br working while i wait, with nothing to deny br me of what is my destiny, br And sure as well that I should die! br br I am a miner; no a maid; br I am a scholar, my witts sharp as a blade. br br I am a painter with black ink on hand; br I am all that is sacred to this land. br br I am to my community, all that i've done; br But to my mother, I am still her son.