Choking out the natural growth of my youth

It’s wilding, meandering vines

Tethered to straight lines and tied to stakes to control and train our branches

To limit my growth

My family brought the seeds, planted to sprouts, tended the young shoots

Supplied nutrients and additives
Abuse, addiction, shame, and fervent faith

Faith its own poison, its own pesticide

Choking out the weeds of sin, excess, vanity, pride, greed

I grew up in soil infused/laden/fertilized by trauma

Coal-poisoned, poverty-rich, tragedy-watered with tears

Bloody, broken bodies composting the land

I grew up in this soil - soaking in it all

My eldest created these recently for my birthday.

Thoughts about Sunday conference mornings
Equal parts exhaustion and exhilaration in spending 4 days listening, learning, and sharing with those in your discipline
#sociology #midwestsoc