HERITAGE

i have my father's blue and Irish eyes
his smile and his temper
like some kraken that erupts intermittently
i never know when he will visit

i have my mother's sense of humor
her smile and her generosity
when folk attempt to spin me stories
i tell them about my family

my sisters say i remind them
of uncle bernie when procrastinating
i do delay decisions until
i can be sure of them

i can be fiery father
or working mother
i am not another
where i come from is not where i stay