Words from a Reader

The “Writing Life Stories” e-mails I receive are such treasures. As soon as I see there is one in my inbox, I read it immediately. I look forward to them and never know how they will touch me. They can be interesting, informative, humorous, and/or touching.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ancestors

I want to share this poem by my 8th cousin, Mary Michelle Keller. She is deeply into genealogy and found we have the same lines in our background. Before we knew we were cousins, we were friends. Barry called her "Cuz."

Ancestors
Census copies strew across my desk
keys that fit rusty locks of remembrance
yield up the flesh of those long dead

I am the keeper of their stories
gathered from dusty history book
records of birth, death and probate

They sailed on ships of cholera
some for adventure, others respite
all for new beginnings, for freedom

The adversity they left followed
some died only to have just begun
others survived to plant their seed

I am here because of them
I will not let them lie in obscurity
I will raise them and remember.

                Mary Michelle Brodine Keller

6 comments:

  1. Glenda, Thanks for posting this new poem by Michelle Keller. It pulled at my heart and made me want to get out my old family records.

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  2. Thanks for sharing this. I miss reading and hearing MM's, poetry. I feel the same about hunting for every tidbit I can find on my ancestors.

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  3. Hi Nancy,
    I was addicted to genealogy for many, many years. Today with so much on the computer, I'm sure I'd be up all night researching.
    Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Hi Pat,
    Like you, I love MM's poetry. Remember the Purple Door and my favorite is the one about the shawl.
    You and she have genealogy and poetry in common.
    thanks for your comment.

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  5. Glenda,
    This is a great poem. Thanks for posting this by Michelle Keller. My sister is into our family history and it's very interesting.

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  6. Just love Mary Mike's poem. Thanks for sharing it.

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I really appreciate your comments, and I love reading what you say.