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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>When I thought we were kin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By Ann Chiappetta<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Folks called me Snow Baby<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A Native likeness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bold face, plentiful hair, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Almond-shaped eyes <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The whispers of a grandmother’s affair <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When I thought we were kin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I sang, delighted by the sun’s doctrine <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And then was Betrayed by a false treaty named Divorce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And Entered a Brave New World<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where second hand and thrift.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bronzed me fearless.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Later, when being kin seemed impossible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And probable, depending on who was asked<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I believed it Despite the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>eventual proof offered with a cheek swab or mail-order saliva.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I live, love, thrive, fight, endure <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>grieve, Grind my spirit into the earth and Heavens, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and listen to the messages in the wind <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and hear from the song in my heart’s blood, of what is to come<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Because I still believe in kin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Ann M. Chiappetta, M.S.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Making Meaningful ConnectionsThrough Media <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>914.393.6605 USA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Anniecms64@gmail.com">Anniecms64@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All things Annie: <a href="http://www.annchiappetta.com">www.annchiappetta.com</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>