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Poems - This Table Handed Down
| | This Table Handed Downby liarbird
I was staring at the wood grain, and the age shown by each ring.
It could have been an old oak. Could have been anything!
The stains have gone un-noticed, they’re indelible old grime
from coffee, wine and laughter, in conversations back in time.
We gather here at mealtime, or when old friends call in.
Talk about good fortunes, or when hard times did begin,
there is grief for a passing. Celebrate a birth or someone’s age.
A place to find some reason, if disagreements rage.
When the family Bible’s open, written words are hard to see.
Faded are the births and deaths that form our family tree.
Dated back in Scotland, sixteen ninety’s first official entry.
Transported on a sailing ship, early in the nineteenth century.
Named is the ancestor migratory aboard the sailing ship,
who bought antiques out from Scotland, on a six-month seaboard trip.
Settled in the Western District, built this house on freehold land.
Each generation opens up the Bible, when need of a writers hand.
Entrenched and well remembered, is the history of my clan,
there are so many stories. Some too harsh to understand.
We know of Mothers in distress; who shed tears before,
they fed their sons for one last time, before they left for war.
Private and talked in whispers, are the black sheep’s swelling bud,
where some had planned extortion, and talked of shedding blood,
but the gaiety is mentioned too, in what is party mood,
there was singing and much banter, drink and ample food.
As I stare down at the wood grain, as holder of the antiques now,
declaring that no matter what, I in no secret make this vow,
my family ties are still so strong, our Bible steeped in tight renown.
A writer’s hand shall pen my death, upon this table handed down.
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by Ozymandias on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (00:38:24) |
I like this, Lindsay, it all coheres together well and paints a convincing picture.
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by angeroseblue on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (01:24:41) |
i like the whole poem but that last stanza is so heartfelt
this was an incredible read!!
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by MoZark on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (08:22:33) |
The thought of holding onto family memories like this in this throwaway world is expressed well. Have a grand tomorrow.
Jack
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by realrhoda on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (19:37:19) |
Lindsay,
Lovely and nostalgic, draws me in on a lovely piece of life-
take care,
Rhoda
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by thewholesoul on Thursday, October 22, 2009 (09:25:28) |
very nice tale of family lineage. i think its cool the way you still record the family tree back from scotland. take it easy, conor
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by scriptum on Friday, October 23, 2009 (10:17:29) |
Now that's a table I'd love to sit at. A portion of my heritage is the Hamilton clan. Am I in? 
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by maryanns on Friday, October 23, 2009 (14:22:53) |
Really beautiful and compelling, Lindsay, truly a family treasure as is the table itself. Imagine, all those years ago... your story is quite inspiring as well as a wonderful read. We have the "Coulter" bible from my mothers side, it goes way back too; amazing to read the names and notes inside. Best wishes, Mary Ann
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by Melly on Friday, October 23, 2009 (19:38:25) |
Lindsay that was just beautiful . Like our family bible with all the births and deaths and the stories passed along from generation to generation.You have made it so much more memorable with this poem. One to pen on the table perhaps for future generations to find. love this tugs at my heart. Hugs Melly
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by badmalthus on Saturday, October 24, 2009 (03:00:28) |
This brought a tear to my eye Lindsay as I lost all my family treasures some years ago..........a poignant write my friend.
Cheers.....Harry
PS.......I'm back......haha.
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by Julie on Thursday, October 29, 2009 (21:07:42) |
Well....Lindsay, as a family history historian..or former one.(.I haven't done any genealogy for years now, but I still love to find out new information)...I enjoyed reading this one immensely. I know you know I probably read your poems outloud, but did you know that I read them in my best Australian accent? And I pretend to be YOU reading them???!!! TEE HEE. I ought to record myself reading one of yours, in my best Lindsay imitation and send it to you. You would really laugh your fanny off, let me tell ya!!! 
Anyway, this was really good and made me envious of you knowing that much about your heritage and that you still retain the 250 or so year old Family bible, along with some of the antiques that came from Scotland! Plus...knowing you are descended from the Stewart line. Whoo hoo! Doesn't matter which branch of the Stewarts..it's still wonderful to know. I have ties to a Wallace line in which the progenitor was a knight. I like to imagine that the famous William Wallace made famous in our times from Mel Gibson's movie might have been in my tree. Ah..it's fun to think about anyway.
Thanks so much, Lindsay for your wonderful poem. I always have such fun reading yours. ;0)
A 10, my friend and a favorite!
Julie
Julie
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by rondo on Friday, October 30, 2009 (01:51:20) |
beautiful work lindsay........I can see the roots of australlias poet in the grain............rondo
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by omegapaf on Saturday, October 31, 2009 (23:20:28) |
this is just perfect lindsay. never change a word. the way familys get intertwined over the centurys always facinates me. a branch of my family were stewarts from scotland...does that make us cousins? i love that it's put in cowboy poetry too. - g'day cousin - paul.
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Re: This Table Handed Down
(Score: 1 )
by Leggolas on Sunday, November 01, 2009 (15:13:19) |
Dear Lindsay, having researched and discovered much of my family tree, this poem evoked so many emotions and memories. For it is those carvings embedded deep within the grain of our history, that make us what we are. Loved the write my friend. Fond Regards. Mark.
Added on: 21-Oct-2009 | Hits: 134 |
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