Heritage:
Men From an Unknown Memory
I’ve seen pictures of them,
The men of my family.
Though I’ve never met most, they are part
Of me. I am their resolve.
My men were strong and solid.
They swaggered a little.
They tilted their hats to one side
And leaned against trucks.
They laughed and dreamed. Some
Were reckless to the point of sin.
They held themselves upright,
Though life would blow to bow them down.
Proud of their ability and construct,
They worked with wood and
With machines, with tools and with dirt.
Insightful craftsmen and engineers.
I know their structures.
Silent musicians of my past.
I hear their songs.
Before I was born.
My men gave me life and strength.
Before I was born,
I accepted their endowments,
Both good and bad,
Fine and faulty.
Forming my life with their
Perseverance,
I am their labor.
Susan Patterson
February 2014
I’ve seen pictures of them,
The men of my family.
Though I’ve never met most, they are part
Of me. I am their resolve.
My men were strong and solid.
They swaggered a little.
They tilted their hats to one side
And leaned against trucks.
They laughed and dreamed. Some
Were reckless to the point of sin.
They held themselves upright,
Though life would blow to bow them down.
Proud of their ability and construct,
They worked with wood and
With machines, with tools and with dirt.
Insightful craftsmen and engineers.
I know their structures.
Silent musicians of my past.
I hear their songs.
Before I was born.
My men gave me life and strength.
Before I was born,
I accepted their endowments,
Both good and bad,
Fine and faulty.
Forming my life with their
Perseverance,
I am their labor.
Susan Patterson
February 2014
Although not from my heritage, these men seemed like the type that were 'proud of their ability and construct.'
Audio-
Discussion-
I wrote this poem about an old picture which I now carry in my wallet. It is a picture of average working men, probably in the 1920's. I don't know who they are...maybe a grandfather and uncle. It doesn't matter. I know that I am from their stock. It is important to appreciate what has been done for us by those we may have never met. We all figuratively stand on the shoulders of our parents, grandparents, and further back. We are fortunate to do so. It's the way it works. skp
Son, Jesse and his daughter, Nahla. She will stand on his shoulders some day.
Coming Soon For You!
Summer landscape. My new book, Unnoticed Moments is coming out soon. YAY! This new treasure will contain all of your favorite poems from the last several years. You are sure to love it!
So sorry tea lovers, no tea poems. skp
So sorry tea lovers, no tea poems. skp
▶To determine one's purpose in life is to determine the Divine.
Earlene Grey
Earlene Grey
Mt. Hood in the late summer. Mountains are just some of the reasons why we love Oregon.
À bientôt! skp
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