‘deep roots’ is a poem illustrating the connection within Oakland and the power of centering community and being deeply rooted. Deeply Rooted Collaborative partners have served Oakland for decades and are working to ensure that the Oakland General Plan 2045 integrates the deep roots of Oakland residents. ayodele nzinga is Oakland’s Poet Laureate and a part of the Black Arts Movement Business District, CDC, a Deeply Rooted Collaborative partner.
deeply rooted in the soil
deeply rooted in the town
deeply rooted in oakland
deeply rooted
layers of a story
gathered here
from there
to root here
in remembrance of
places
we intersected
& rose higher
than
“small talk” about us
honoring
tales of tulle reeds
water intersections
dislocated discourses
intersected by
exclusion redlines
layers of a story
steeped & brewed
over time
deeply rooted in the soil
deeply rooted in the town
deeply rooted in oakland
deeply rooted
a symphony of
collard greens red beans
bus & train rides
railroad ties
intersections
& iron will
spirit
refuses to drown
dances forward
lionhearted
to the sound of drums
as we write
here
here
together
the story of
the path
to here
together dreaming
whole tomorrows
for all of us
here
here
intersecting
layers of a story
blended & brewed over time
deeply rooted in the soil
deeply rooted in the town
deeply rooted in oakland
deeply rooted