The Sum Of Time

I am from sepia photographs, impeccable handwriting
and tea stained cups.

I am from lilting brogues, rolling r’s
and ardent arguments behind closed doors.

I am two generations removed from the old country,
where relatives unknown dot the world.

I am from glowing streetlights and darkened stoops
where  gardens of gossip flourish in hushed voices.

I am from struggling wildflowers, broken fire escapes,
potholed streets and cracked cement.

I am from overflowing bookshelves bound in leather
and dreams of more than could once be imagined.

I am the sum of others reassigned.

I am.

Reviews

[Sarah]

GREAT JOB! i really feel a personal connection in this. you are letting people see some of you without exposing so much. this is all in all a very well written piece.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks a lot tweety.

[TL Boehm]

oh my I like this. You know I have this genealogy addiction so the first part of this just blew me away. Ther rest is wonderful too.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, I'm extremely interested in genealogy and I do believe reading that you have been able to map your family back quite a few generations. I like feeling connected to something bigger than myself. I've actually been thinking of having one of those DNA tests to see where my ancestors really came from and maybe even which wave they were in (I think there are 11, not sure though) when they left Africa, since we all come from there no matter what color we are now. I watched a show on Nat Geo about it that simply blew me away.

[TL Boehm]

I remember a show with Spencer Wells about DNA - it is fascinating stuff

[redzone]

"I am"... yes, yes you are... liked, "gardens of gossip" I can see people hanging out on the stoops and talking about, well, everything. we are the sum of those who came before, scatterlings of Africa, but we are also adding to that sum with ourselves. benefiting from the past, but adding to the future... (or maybe just more "gossip") cool poem. ~~redzone

[icelandicblue]

Thanks redzone,

Nice to meet you.

[Frieda P]

I adore this one Anne, you've shone a light on your essence here, exquisitely written.

I am from struggling wildflowers, broken fire escapes,
potholed streets and cracked cement.

I loved it all but that stanza really spoke to me....excellent! 100/100

[icelandicblue]

Ah, thanks so much Frieda. I appreciate it.

[Ren Black]

Everything about how this is crafted works brilliantly with the concept. Wonderfully done.

[icelandicblue]

I thank you very much. I look forward to reading your work.

[redflutterby]

This is splendidly amazing Anne! We carry within us an essence of the old eras..its in our heritage. Beautiful...

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Red. I appreciate your kind words.

[Dr. Wood ?]

excellent ICE................Ditto jack really, He is so much better at this reviewing lark....Maybe I should just follow HIS reviews around...And maybe even REVIEW them.....Great poem, it seems we are all locked in a transient bubble....

[icelandicblue]

I like that term transient bubble. Thanks Doc.

[Dr. Wood ?]

Thanks to YOU

[Jack...]

Very nicely done Anne. We are everything we have seen and anything that will come in the time ahead.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Jack, that is so true.

[s y e]

Wow Blue -- You're blowing me away tonight with your amazing writes. I love the sepia photos, I think it just adds to the effect of the picture and shows a different side.

My house is full of black and white photos and sepia, haha. An amazing write!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Noodle, a pleasure to hear from you!