An unaware seed of curiosity
began to grow deep into my
unknown past ...
of unforgotten folks.
The reading of their names
shone such a different light--
for they weren't just people
of different names,
different plots,
different stones.

These colored pages
are my kin-folks.
They are my past;
I am their presence,
my children, are our future.

It startled me into a curiosity
of amazed wonder.
As this unknown tree
began to slowly unravel.
And all these thousands of scattered pieces
began to build such a different life.

And here was an introductory
into my measure of lifetime.
It made me wonder
how much of their blood
still pumps through me --
... if any
How many generations
does one flow through?

To travel amongst the deepest roots
that holds this tree.
To that highest branch
of the last child born to date
Was a journey of
several emotions
I would look forward and I could see
a continuance of life for this ole tree.

And I felt an eagerness
to go higher --
to discover...
to learn
Then I would search
deep into the
mass of roots
Several feelings surrounded me --
in one sense I felt a belonging

Then I saw a lifetime
of a hundred years back
and a curiosity overwhelmed me.

I would read the old news clipping
heartbreak of a young wife ...
an accidental drowning of an
unknown father ...
a small child taken so early in life ...
a grand, old lady known for kindness
a grandfather who held such tremendous wisdom ...
a mother so caring ...
a father so strong ...
too soon He has taken them all.

These, my dear friends
were the hardest to place
within the coloured pages

Though the seasons may
come and go
expanding our roots
renewing our branches
Should the wonders ever cease
of how deep is that
deepest root --
how high is that
highest branch --
how many of "us" traveled
from tree top down
what were the "thoughts"
of a hundred years back!