Family Tree

My friend, E.K, wrote this poem in memory of my Mom. E.K. first met my Mom when we were in high school in Houston. Thank you so much, E.K.

Family Tree
In Memory of Adelina, 1938 - 2010
by E.K. Keith


Our family tree
branches and roots

We are the branches
mother
daughter
son
father
brother
sister

What if a mother
crosses an ocean
and her daughter and son
don't share their mother's
mother tongue?
Who are we not?

A bigger family
with wider branches
and deeper roots

We have our time
Branches turn to roots
gone from view, underground.
Remembering is our responsibility
Remember who roots us
to the history of the world

Our family tree
branches and roots
and the forest is the human family