Generational Wealth

Generational Wealth Poem.

I have this trauma that

Stems from my rootlessness.

It reaches down into my stomach like a gnarled hand

Invading the birth canal and

Twists my insides with its icy touch.

When I think about myself

I think about loneliness. I think about the

Silk threads that stem from my

Spine and reach across the world.

Their fragile weave connected me to home but

Steel and the wind severed my ties and

Left me gasping for breath on alien shore.



I turn to familiar patterns burning in the night sky

I turn to song and dance, to aged silken skin and

Designs in the cloth to

Bring me closer to the home I have never known.


I shed this trauma. It slips down my back like sweet rain

I ignite a will to be of two worlds

In both I am home.

Photo by Greg Jeanneau

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43 Comments

  1. suvratadesai

    So intense, powerful and full of emotions!

  2. Dawn Pisturino

    Your pain comes through in this poem, Jaya. But also, your strength to overcome. Very inspiring and noble.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Dawn!

  3. Adelheid

    I love the emotion in the words. Thanks for sharing, pretty Jaya! ☺

  4. Jenny in Neverland

    This piece is like a dance; so wonderfully lucid and alive. Another favourite of yours. X

  5. Dominic Alapat

    What a beautiful and lucidly written poem! I love how it begins in turmoil and ends in understanding!

  6. readandreviewit1

    This is such a beautiful piece! I love the theme of trying to find a sense of home and belonging, and the imagery throughout. I love the line about the silk thread and spine in particular, that’s truly inspired, as well as the more hopeful ending! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us x

  7. Finding Grace

    While I don’t know you, I imagine this reflects deep, painful feelings for you…to bare your soul is to really live. Beautiful <3

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much for this lovely comment!

  8. Jodie | That Happy Reader

    This lovely piece fills me with so much emotion. This is one of my favourites. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Infinite Living

    The imagery of your words awakens visceral memories Jaya – you have that unique talent with words – I enjoyed resting in to your concluding lines.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you! Love that you loved the last lines.

  10. Her Digital Coffee

    What a beautiful piece about finding home and belonging. This felt like such a warm embrace. Thank you for sharing! Lovely work as always Jaya!

  11. Stephanie

    That second-to-last segment is really beautiful! I love the way it’s written and how it flows. Fantastic as always!

  12. Charity

    I love the imagery here. Thanks for sharing another beautiful piece!

  13. D. Wallace Peach

    Such powerful imagery and strength, Jaya. Your poetry digs deep. Loved this.

  14. Jeff Flesch

    This is an exquisite write about the I that is the bridge between these two worlds. The trauma you write of is visceral and resonates. Always such beautiful poetry from your pen, Jaya. ❤️

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Jeff!

      1. Jeff Flesch

        You’re welcome, Jaya! Always.

  15. Simone E

    Your words are transformative, introspective and absolutely beautiful! Love your style.. your words contain a depth and eloquence.
    Thank you for sharing 😊

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you for this lovely comment, Simone!

  16. theusedlife

    Beautiful and empowering. I especially love the last two lines. Well done!

  17. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    Jaya your poem is so beautiful it takes my breath away.
    Powerful words that reach the heart.
    The very first words: trauma and uprooting are like explosions that radiate in concentric circles of emotions.
    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH THANK YOU!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much, dear Claudia!

  18. ivor20

    That yearning for a Motherland runs deep Jaya …
    https://youtu.be/A2JbLUVt0Z0

    1. Eri Tz

      Very beautiful and sentimental poem Jaya. I kept on reading it again and again. A great piece to start my day with!

      1. Jaya Avendel

        I am so thrilled to hear it!

  19. Lamittan Minsah

    This is moving and powerfully evocative. The images are stunning and the description on point. Loneliness is sure a terrible thing to handle.

  20. wordsandcoffee1

    Your poetry tells such vivid stories! Love this!

  21. Cindy Georgakas

    Your imagery so vivid and evokes familiar memories Jaya with deep metaphors. Great piece delivered so well! 💖

  22. K.Hartless

    Stunning. Love the steel and wind severing the umbilical ties. How many worlds can we inhabit? Your poem raises hairs on my arms and questions.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love the ways you felt this! Thanks for sharing.

  23. Michele Lee

    Jaya, your poem evoked great emotion in me. To feel that intensely from writing or a moving song, is a gift. Thank you. 💝

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I am always delighted, Michele, by your lovely reads!

  24. barbaraleaver

    This piece has a wonderful tone to it. The people, including myself that were removed from their homeland, journeying to another where you build a new life connected to the past

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Love this read! Thank you for sharing.

  25. Ingrid

    Such yearning in your poetry, Jaya!🙏

  26. Jacqui Murray

    Some tough lines in her! Very powerful.

  27. paeansunplugged

    “It reaches down into my stomach like a gnarled hand

    Invading the birth canal and

    Twists my insides with its icy touch.”
    Such visceral imagery, Jaya! Your words bind us to you with silken threads of poetry.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Punam!

  28. Daphny Aqua

    Such a powerful poem this is, I loved this part the most
    “When I think about myself
    I think about loneliness. I think about the
    Silk threads that stem from my
    Spine and reach across the world.” It is one of your best yet Jaya. ❤️

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much, Daphny!!

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