These Seams Poem by Angela Bontle Ditumiso

When I think of home
I see strings tying me to different faces, to different cases
I see smiles, tears of joy, light bouncing off my grandmother's face

I hear chatter, feel my grandfather's voice waking curiosity within me
When I think of home I think of the family photos hanging from the wall
Sneaking out of the house at night to hang with my cousins
The beauty of it all

I think a man is defined
Among other things
By his love for family
Love, is all I see when we come together
It's the first thing I hear before the hello
What I see in every hug exchanged
I'm taken by surprise every time