Donald Traxler's Poetry

Friday, November 26, 2021

Sing the Sun Up

I would also have liked to include:

Imba jua juu

na kuomba chini,

na kutembea kwa uzuri

pamoja na dada zako na kaka zako

siku nzima.

Laula aurinko ylös

ja rukoile auringonlaskun aikaan,

ja kävellä kauneudessa

sisarten ja veljien kanssa

koko päivä.

Thursday, November 25, 2021

138,000 Visits, and Diverse Ramblings

"A man's a man, for a' that." So said one of my supposed ancestors, Robert Burns. But my great-grandmother Moore, who made much of that relatively doubtful connection, was in fact a direct descendant of nobility and royalty of Wales, Cornwall, England, and Ireland, going all the way back to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland. I'm pretty sure that my great-grandmother never knew about any of this. Neither did I, until eight or ten years ago. Why should she know? Why should I? "A man's a man, for a' that."

Now, of course, we have DNA results, and I know for the first time that I am part Finnish, which I like. Some of that Finnish may actually be Sámi, which I also like, because it is reminiscent of Native American. In fact, I get a warm feeling when I listen to Sámi singing, for the same reason. But "a man's a man, for a' that." Does it really matter?

There is another genealogy, which is the genealogy of the soul. It cares not a whit about DNA, but traces one's spiritual influences. I have many, and I cherish them all.

As usual I thank you, loyal readers, for your loyalty and continued interest. I wish all of you a happy holiday season.

Note on the illustration: I shot this selfie two years ago, and have never before posted it. Even now, I haven't really chosen it. Its number (2653) was given to me last night in a dream. This is the way I operate, much of the time.