Ancestor Connections

“This is how memory becomes a seed– / not buried, / but planted.”

“Together we will plant seeds of justice and peace.”

“I ignite a match and think of our ancestors / as though they were just upstairs…” 

“May there never again be war.  Wasn’t war  lifetimes ago? Who wants war?” 

“Soft layers of quiet are my dowry…”

“So I studied my family’s history her story / create joy in her holy days…”

I reach to you, stumbling // on stones, on translations.

Staring up at the glowing orb and feeling the life in her womb, she drifted into dreams, only to be startled awake by the Voice…

Our offering: // cakes baked in the shape of her womb. // Poppy seeds populate the holy center, // gifts of gratitude to the goddess of fertility; // this, our devotional expression— // cakes for the Queen of Heaven.

I saw their names in our tree, but never // looked further. As a child, I knew // a few of them, but only a few.