Pride & Grit
By Axton N.O. Mitchell
Year after year, I laced my trainers, preparing
to outrun the river valley’s rusted villages.
Never noticing the erosion, the tributaries and creeks
carved through my chemistry along my way.
Steel-dusted lungs,
rust-caked memories.
Running through these
rolling-hills.
Appalachia doesn’t raise us,
it’s welded to our
skeletal systems.
Grit isn’t bought,
but earned through
life experience.
You carry this with pride
Like a tiger’s does his stripes.
Our personal gift from the
Ohio River herself,
should we see her beauty
more clearly.
Say it. Don’t spray it.