ROOTS
by John Yeo
Henry was a man of stubborn independent views
Absolutely self assured with single-minded opacity
If encouraged to uncover the past he would refuse.
~
He was the product of wartime upheaval and blues
He grew hard and self sufficient with harsh pugnacity
Henry was a man of stubborn independent views.
~
After the ceasefire a marital breakdown would infuse
The facts of his history would be cloaked in mendacity
If encouraged to uncover the past he would refuse.
~
Educated in an orphanage without facts to confuse
Without means to uncover his descendants veracity
Henry was a man of stubborn independent views.
~
People often prompted Henry who resisted the cues
To uncover his heritage would require fabled tenacity
If encouraged to uncover the past he would refuse.
~
After a happy successful life in his contented shoes
He faced the future with ingrained perspicacity,
Henry was a man of stubborn independent views
If encouraged to uncover the past he would refuse.
~
© Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
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Hereditary roots are important to some, as they frantically haunt online heritage sites avidly searching for people with the slightest tenuous link to a version of their family name. Seeking perhaps, long lost connections to the aristocratic families of the distant past. An obvious linkage to a wealthy forgotten branch of their family with the chances of a long lost inheritance.
Personally I prefer to forget the past and let sleeping dogs remain fast asleep in the pages of tenuous rumour and mystery. I certainly understand the view and outlook of my imaginary friend Henry in this poem.