Always there has been
A family historian
Mostly the women

Aunt Teen obviously
She kept track of everyone
In mom’s family

Aunt Alois too
Dad’s brother’s kind, soft-spoken wife
By caring, she knew

Now times have changed
No longer is there a center
Keeping us arranged

Sisters and brothers
Cousins expanding, few knowing
About each other

Those we know about
Are very different people
So we sometimes shout

There’s still Aunt Becky
She stays near to the old center
Of dad’s family

Felix, my cousin
Carries on Aunt Teen’s legacy
Eldest living son

Lax for far too long
Now I must pick up connections
Keep the stories strong

Memories have welled
Perhaps no one really cares but
I feel so compelled

My brothers and I
Have no children our very own
To ask about why

We are who we are…
Still, a hope grows deep in my heart
That others afar

Will seek us one day
Compelled by curiosity
What our voices say

For the moment, I
Will write and speak all that I know
Until my last sigh