I am from the tall dark chocolate handsomeness of Veodis my Dad
and the small caramel prettiness of Rosa Bell my Mom.
I don’t remember… but it was their coming together that formed me.
I can remember being the knee baby, the one before my youngest
sister. There was Sarah, Theresa, Ken, Gloria, Valeria, Gwenda (that’s
me) then came the real baby that we call Angie.
I am from 607 E. 1st Street where I grew up just three houses from the
railroad. I remember it being said that we lived across the tracks and at
the stockyard too. Growing up in the late ’50s & ’60s the east side
neighborhood was really good. I remember there was a Dr, a lawyer, a
Nurse, Teachers, Beauticians, and other working folks just across the
street or around the corner always within walking distance. I can still
see them sitting on their front porch calling to me by name, always
keeping a watchful eye, and always ready to discipline me if need be.
Some people say I am also from up north cause that is where I
migrated, spent half of my life, raised kids and had an educational
career. I can remember being asked, “well where are you from, I can tell
that you’re not from around here”. Not ashamed to proclaim that
Hopkinsville KY is where I am from. Never heard of it you say, well it is a small town,
but it is where I am from.
Someone once said you can’t go home again. But I knew that wasn’t
true, so I decided just what I would do. I remember the date was Nov
14th of 2013 when I packed up my things and left Flint Ml after 37 years.
Saying goodbye was not so hard but I couldn’t help it I admit I did shed a
few tears. I remember it all so well although it’s been only 6 years. I still feel
so blessed moving back to the Ville that I wrote this poem and wore
this shirt to let you all know that I’m here to stay. Because Hoptown
is where I am from.
Gwenda Watkins Motley serves on the Board of Directors for Hoptown Chronicle. She grew up in Hopkinsville and returned to her hometown in 2013 following retirement from her teaching career of 37 years in Flint, Michigan. She is a member of Virginia Street Baptist Church and serves on the boards of Focus 21st Century Minority Leadership Group and the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc.
