Ancestors

ByMerrie Dail

Slowly
my fingers
search the rough stone
ignoring wrong turns formed by the moss

Some stones will not give up
their secrets

From atop the church
I guessed God could see forever
beyond the marshes, rivers and bay, far beyond the sea
where they came from and where they came to

Take thy rest.
William, nobly at his post fell
Mother Elizabeth, Sally Ann, beloved Carrie
CE, CW, Stachaia – all came home
to where tiny Lottie
lays
just outside the door

Could you but speak to me
I am not of this place
but
I am of You

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