I come with my Ancestors

to tell you a tale

of loss and acceptance

love and redemption

*

I bring with me

the long line of people

preceding my coming

 they gather around my person

as I sit here to tell you

that no story is told

without the telling

of ones Forbearers

 those who have passed on

their feats, failures

loves and fears

to us, their Continuance

*

I come to you today

with the stories of a people,

my people, told already

or untold, their stories

that are mine will be revealed

*

my Elders

the intrinsic matter

of my genetic make up

 the fabric

of so many mysteries

 a weft of understanding

woven into my soul

when I listen

*

my ancestors

loved or unloved

they are my life

and I, in the middle of my journey

am an Elder in the making

*