My Ancestors

I do not know my ancestors.

I don’t know whether they were mad pirates, wealthy Lords, and Ladies,

Talented blacksmith or the village banker?

I don’t know if, in the early morning, they tended to their flock of sheep and their garden.

Were they able to take charge of their daily affairs, or were they locked behind bars?

Most notably, were they happy?

I don’t know if their land was full of abundance and generosity.

Did their women feel loved and safe, and could their children run freely?

Were the elderlies cared for affectionately?

Was their God forgiving - humans require so much forgiveness!

How deep was the stirring moving their hearts and their bellies, informing them

When it was time to leave everything adored behind, families, friends, lovers,

And to embark on floating giants that would take them

Nearly halfway around the globe

To some foreign land inhabited by insects unknown.

Did they celebrate their departure with wine and a feast

Or they tiptoed at night under a moonless sky.

As they crossed the vast ocean, how many had to be laid down in her cold bed,

To rest along ancient sunken ships beaten by storms, meeting some unfortunate fate.

And when the lucky ones attained the new shores,

Were they relieved to set foot on unrecognized land,

Did the screeching of the seagulls sound familiar to them?

Did the scent of the earth remind them of their lost home?

After this long and tiring voyage,

When they finally were able to gather and sit around the fire, warm and dry,

Eating a piece of charred bird or wild pig,

Drinking beer from the small tin cups they had carried over,

Were they happy, at last,

Were they at peace, my ancestors?