Heritage

When I was a little younger,
I took pride in the fact
That I had class.
My Momma and Daddy
May have come
From mountaintop trash,
The Smokies and Appalachias
May have housed my heritage,
But I was a city girl,
Inarguably intelligent
And comfortable in my place
As a strong, modern woman.
Now that I've grown,
As sure as I see
My momma in the mirror,
I see my heritage
Creeping in to stay.
I get the locals discount
At tourist traps in Tennessee
When my carefully cultivated
Midwestern accent
Decides to go out for a drive,
And I find myself
Saying things like "sugar" and "hon"
To strangers in my checkout line.
I cook when I'm stressed,
And feel the need to welcome
Any new face that I see.
I don't understand
Why talking to strangers is bad,
Never have,
And I still believe
In Jesus and love,
Precisely in that order.
I take pride in the fact
That I have class -
My Momma and Daddy
Came from the mountains,
And I'll carry my heritage
(And my head)
High.