these roots
I come from,
told they
could win,
knew nothing
of overseas holidays,
401ks or the
luxury of dreams.
were more myopic,
like what
could be made
for Sunday
dinner to feed
a table full
of hungry mouths.
these roots
I come from,
ready to do
whatever it took to
take good care
of their own
especially when
it wasn’t easy
or comfortable.
these roots
I come from,
they ran moonshine
when there was
more month
than money
and would rather
live on skid row
amongst the
street justice, gangsters
and prostitutes
than to owe a bank
one thin dime.
these roots
I come from,
they lived their lives,
from birth
to death
without ever knowing
what it was like to fly,
only what it was like
to live.
for these roots,
for I believe
in them
is stored
every ounce
of strength
I'll ever need.
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Poetry should move us, it should change us, it should glitch our brains, shift our moods to another frequency. Poetry should evoke feelings of melancholy, whimsy, it should remind us what it feels like to be in love, or cause us to think about something in a completely different way. I view poetry, and all art really, as a temporary and fragile bridge between our world and a more pure and refined one. This is a world we could bring into creation if enough of us believed in it. This book is ephemera, destined to end up forgotten, lingering on some dusty shelf or tucked away in a dark attic. Yet the words, they will live on in memory. I hope these words become a part of you, bubble up into your memory when you least expect them to and make you feel a little more alive.
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“They ran moonshine when there was more month than money.”
This line is superbly scripted and powerful. I appreciate how this piece tells a transparent story of a life in poverty. Bravo. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks, they survived by any means necessary!
Beautiful poetry full of meaning of life.
Great, you still have your grandfather's photo. I see there is a resemblance in his face with yours. Of course it would be great if you could find out your family tree. God bless you Eric.
Thank you Eliana! My brother and I both look a lot like that side of the family. We have much of our family tree mapped up (going back to the 1600's on the Walton side). They were among the first immigrants to sail to America from England in the late 1600's and were Quakers. Bless you too! Enjoy the weekend.
Nice poetry, glad to see you had the photo of your grandfather, I also had two or three photos of my grandfather, I remember him very clearly, and I also remember the care he had for us and his kids. he was the person with the true heart.
Thank you! It's good that you have the pictures and the fond memories. They become very valuable as we age.
Very nice. This was a really good one. I was just talking to someone the other day about how we didn't have a ton when we were growing up, but we had everything we needed. I'm kind of glad for that. I can really appreciate that we all (my family) had to work hard to get where we are versus having everything handed to us.
Thank you! I very much agree. The thing was we never realized anyone lived any differently until we got to know wealthier kids in our later teen years from other parts of town (Bexley). We were blessed to grow up that way.
For sure! One of those times that ignorance is truly bliss. We grew up in the country. Everyone in the closest town worked for Dow Chemical or Dow Corning. Many of them were executives. My dad on the other hand was an auto worker for GM. The divide was quite apparent as we grew older.
Such poetry goes above the human heart as we are seeing the people of olden times were very good and they worked hard to make life easier for their new generation. A person must have pictures and the only means for that is when a person remembers his loved ones by seeing such things. These who are our elders do a lot of work for us and make our life easier. As long as they are alive, no one in the world dares to say anything to us. If we follow what they taught, then life will pass comfortably.
Have you read the book "Power Of Now" by Ekhart Tolle. As you mentioned in this post that we all have experienced full peace in our life at some point of time. That's only possible when our mind is in only present moment. When there is not past or future talks, our mind is always at peace. Mindfulness is a very deep state which takes many years to achieve. A very gradual shift in the patterns of mind is achieved by training our mind.
I think I did read that book several years ago. I really enjoyed it. I've discovered that living mindfully is surprisingly (and deceptively) easy. All it takes is to be grateful for the moment and the people and things in it. The hard part is staying in that state of mind for long periods. Like you said, it takes a while to build up the length of time you reside in that state.
Yes. From time to time I keep on reading the book again so I can be back on my track.
Touching poem speaking of the importance of appreciating one's heritage and the values that have been passed down through generations, even in the face of adversity and limited opportunities. This shapes us as we grow and become part of our essence.
Thank you! It's nearly unbelievable what some of our ancestors had to go through and we complain if our wifi signal is interrupted. Lol.
Beautiful words that speak to the intelligence, perserverance and determination that make you who you are...it is a lovely way to honor those roots!
Thanks, Tamara! My grand dad passed away when my father was just three years old (in 1942) but from the stories I've heard about him he was one tough guy. His younger brother, my great uncle, ended up being a father figure to my dad, he was equally tough and resourceful. I came into the picture later in his life but he was perfectly content listening to a baseball game on the radio with a beer and his chewing tobacco.
I know what is starving and being homeless. There was a time in my childhood, when we (my brother, our mother and me) were homeless. I remember eating a slice of cheese for dinner. So I know this from personal experience. We (my brother and me) were born and grew up in Budapest, Hungary.
Have a nice day. All the best. Greetings and much love from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
I'm very sorry to hear you had to go through those kinds of struggles in this life but I'm glad you made it through. Have a wonderful Friday, my friend. I hope life is still good for you there on that beautiful island.
Me too. We (my brother, our mother and me) "restarted" our lives multiple times. It all started with a violent, alcoholic step-father. Or real father. I still do not even know.
Yes. I very much enjoy it.
Have a nice day and have a nice weekend.
All the best. Greetings and much love from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
I'm happy to see you've broken the cycle and are a peaceful soul. Enjoy your day!
Awesome words Eric, what a wonderful tribute to your grandpa Walton! Yes they lived simple lives through extremely difficult times, and would be gobsmacked if they knew what the world offers today!
We simply place orders online or jump in the car when we need something, my Mom often stopped me dead in my tracks and ask why I needed to buy stuff when I have a pantry full of food. She taught me to think before I bought, not always wasy though!
Have a wonderful day further Eric 😊
Thank you! How I wish I could have met him. Hard times make tough men they say. We take so much for granted, don't we? Not everything about modern life is easier but an overwhelming majority of things are. Taking that pause before hitting the "buy" button is a very wise thing to do. I really love certain aspects of the older generations. Have an amazing Friday, Lizelle. It's always good to hear from you.
This is very beautiful! I love your poetry in general, for its simple language and simple but deep messages. But for some reason, this one...
I can see this life, although mine has been nothing like it. A shame! Meeting only basic needs, living on ingenuity. Laws broken when necessary or prudent. Priorities that nature decides. A reference to nature in the last stanza, in roots. Our roots will guide us, if we let them. If we honor them, don't see them as having been deprived, or lacking is some way. There's a lovely joy in this poem.
I am grateful That you have these roots, and that many of us do. We may be relying on them more and more as the current nonsense plays out. What we cannot imagine today, will become, and we will be the better for it because we will tune out all the noise and hear only nature's song, with man as a natural being.
I remember my mother telling stories like this. Her life was very difficult, but there were chickens to eat, and apples and plums. Dandelions, my favorite. All in her backyard. I still have dusty bottles of moonshine stored in the ancient family home. I don't know what to do with it! It seems a shame to throw it out.
Really love this one!!! You've set my head to spinning, my favorite kind of poem.
Thank you, thank you. I'm working on fleshing out the family tree and ran across my grandfather's picture. I always thought it spoke volumes. He was only in his 30's in that picture. Him and his siblings had quite a rebellious streak if the family stories are true.
Thanks to my parents, all of our basic needs were always met. We didn't have a lot of extras but I'm so happy we didn't because we know what it's like to survive on and be happy with very little. I too think this will be a useful skill to have in the coming years. Honestly, I'd be perfectly happy living in a cabin in the woods like Thoreau did at this stage of my life.
Your mother must've lived through the Depression? There's this YouTube channel that I just love. Clara lived through that same time period and shared stories of how they had to survive while she cooks dishes from the era. It's wonderful.
I'm glad you connected with this one. Thanks for letting me know how it made you feel.
I LOVE HER!!!
My mom was born in 1928. The only foraging stories she told were of dandelion greens and black walnuts. But she lived on a farm with my great uncle Myron, who was as hardscrabble as they come until the day he died. I wish I had spent more time with him, although he didn't speak all that much and seemed rather grumpy so I was probably afraid of him. I do know that he brought his extended family through two world wars by raising, processing, and selling chickens. The farm at that time had lots of fruit trees and berry bushes. Canning food was a given. My mother did a fair bit of that, but my Aunt Jane, Myron's niece, grew and preserved most of her own food until her death, at 90, just a few years ago. She also swam in the lake every single day all summer long until very shortly before she died. You've made me want to know more about them all! Fortunately, I am still part owner of the house, and there's a fair amount of interesting memorabilia in it. The old bibles are the coolest of these things. People used to record births, deaths, marriages and other tidbits in their bibles. I have two of these from the 1800's. Lots of the last names in those bibles are "Freeman" which suggests the house may have been on the underground railroad.
People were so interesting then! Now many of us are happy just to be like everyone else.
Clara was the best. I've watched most of her videos but, sadly, discovered her channel after she passed.
It sounds like your uncle Myron was much like my great uncles. The times had changed so quickly during their lifetimes they seemed like walking history lessons. One of them still believed that bathing every day made you weak. Lol. I suspect the world will change even more drastically during GenX'ers lifetimes and we'll be the walking history lessons.
Very cool that you have those bibles! The Underground Railroad was really prevalent in Columbus Ohio too.
People were much more interesting back then. I used to love the long, drawn out conversations we with the older relatives. It was a totally different world. My uncle lived right on Main Street in downtown Columbus and would sit at his window and watch people on the street, that was his entertainment when there wasn't a baseball game on.
Now it seems we don't converse at all. We sit around and agree. Anyone who does not agree had better remain silent or, in my circles at least, will be called a far-right Trump-loving, public enemy. I now choose my friends for their values. Maybe I always should have done that. But there's not much I can do about family.
The powers that be have successfully segregated everyone into their own bubbles of like-minded people. I miss the days that you could agree to disagree and not hate everyone else who thinks differently. Hate is born of fear, after all. Both sides are instilling fear then deceiving and taking advantage of their followers.
I think we're in a time of great transition. I only hope whatever is on the other side is better.
Yes, and this is my guiding priciple - if something encourages me to fear my fellow human beings (leaving out all those I think are actually cyborgs or aliens), I will not live by it. When I do this, life is much easier.
Your poem is almost a social manifesto! I loved it. To be proud of our roots is to make our tree, our branches stronger. Only trees with solid, firm roots are harder to uproot. My ancestors came from the Carib Indians, who were great warriors and great hunters from the East of my country. My grandmother always talked to me about them and sometimes spoke their language. I only remember that mother is called Amäy and grandmother is called Ko'way. It is a pity that all that heritage was lost. I wonder how much of our ancestral culture we have at this moment? It would be good to investigate. Nice Thursday, my friend. A hug
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Nancy! Thank you! How interesting that you have indigenous roots. Those people were the epitome of resourcefulness. They lived in such perfect balance with nature. I wish our society could get to that point. Is there anyone left who knows anything about your heritage? I hope you can find a source to learn from. Have a wonderful Friday and good luck with your celebration this weekend! Save a plate for me. : )
The indigenous people live in remote areas because their lands were taken from them and they had to climb the mountains or go to towns with poor roads. It would be interesting to know about them! As for the food I am going to make, hopefully things in my country will improve soon, so I can invite you and your wife to spend a month, at least, in this warm and blue caribbean sea. Here there are very beautiful beaches, almost virgin, with white sand, fresh and blue water. Spend a week near the sea, reading a good book, talking, sleeping with the sound of the waves, with cold beer and watching how the sun sets leaving orange sparkles in the sky. Let all this get better to invite them!!!!
The same thing happened here in American with our indigenous people. It's horrible. They had much to teach us. It sounds like we'd love it there. We sometimes vacation in the Caribbean on St. Thomas and it sounds very similar. Turquoise blue water, white sand, cold beer, and good food. I spend most of my time in the ocean when we're there. We will definitely take you up on that offer when things improve!
Yes for our roots, simple but so deep and connected.
Those are the roots of our strength.
I love the flow of this poem, it feels so familiar.
Reminding us, our roots are all connected xxxxx
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I feel so much gratitude for the struggles of the people that came before us. I wish so many people didn't take it for granted.
This is really a great post. I think it is much more addressing one appreciating the source and background the person comes from
Thanks!
Those roots are what make us who we are.
For sure.
I see, among other things, that the new generation proudly assumes the legacy of their ancestors, taking the necessary time to reflect and heal any wounds from the past. In this way, it is proposed to create a new and renewed concept taking its roots as a reference without ever forgetting where it comes from or the wood from which it is made. Well written @ericvancewalton, enjoyed reading.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
This is a beautiful poem, very well worded
Thanks!
This poetry is so nice that tells us about where we are from and we should appreciate.
very good poetry. great memorable photos. This photo has been stored for a very long time.
I appreciate the way you have still saved the memories as well the photos of grandfather. They are your roots. You are an extension of your fathers and forefathers. After a few generations, they become a vintage collection.
Powerful lines.
Thank you so much, Sir, Eric. Have a great day.
beautiful poem celebrates the strength and determination of your roots, and suggests that they are a source of pride and strength for the person who carries them. It also suggests that these roots can be a source of inspiration and motivation to overcome the challenges and difficulties of modern life.