Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/899551
Heritage Matters 32 I tell stories orally and in written form, mostly through poetry, which has now evolved into fine visual art. The inspiration came about when I started writing as a form of therapy to get through major difficulties, with the feedback garnered from sharing being the catalyst to birth this medium. The impact of storytelling on my culture and community varies – from passing down oral traditions, connecting immigrants and their offspring to their roots, inspiring aspiring artists, creating awareness of culture to a foreign audience, and causing introspection, to being the voice of others who for whatever reasons find themselves voiceless. It empowers and causes others to be emboldened, causes others to find their mediums of creative expression, and brings respectability to the craft of writing and storytelling. I see the future of my work impacting audiences internally long after I've retired and expired. Nadine Williams, a native of St. Mary Parish, Jamaica, is an award-winning poet and author. The Immigrant Child I am the immigrant child Born and bred on the fingers of bananas backs of chickens heads of goats livers tripes and kidneys of cows The immigrant child whose forefathers hoarded their monies to ensure that on September mornings there would be no bawling Since I like the rest could stand with the best big up my chest and proudly tell the teachers good morning Yes I am the immigrant child whose very large family shared two bedrooms and one verandah Who fumbled with bottled torches at nights to find the toilets And though I may reside in four and five bedroom houses with en-suites attached There was a time when I had roofs that were thatched and patched to keep the waters at bay Hey hear me when I say I am the immigrant child who has embarked upon a land of promise A land foretold many years ago A land where milk and honey flows The immigrant child whose migration and subsequent integration has made me a proud Canadian Entitled to all that the shores of Nova Scotia Manitoba British Columbia Newfoundland and Labrador has in store As much sap as my tongue can lap from the barks of the maple trees while mastering as many degrees as my tuition fees deems feasible The immigrant child whose rich heritage oozes from my pores as I try to ensure that the doors of these great memories are open wide to impart a sense of humility and pride While being a guide to this generation and the generations after that I am the immigrant child Born and bred on the fingers of bananas backs of chickens heads of goats livers tripes and kidneys of cows And I am the immigrant child who will die humbly holding dear The heart of the breadfruit. By Nadine Williams Visit heritagetrust.on.ca/myontario for a clip of Nadine performing The Immigrant Child. Storytelling Poetic Expressions By Nadine Williams Photo courtesy of Nadine Williams