Michelle Herbelin

“Ancestor”

My bones cry out to love you

All despite your sins and flaws

My mind, forsake the reasons

And my heart, embrace the cause

Was I ever to disown you

I would feel that I betray—

I want to see bright silver

Underneath the tarnished shade

Though I’m not sure what you’d tell me

If I asked the question “why?”

For all you did and suffered

I maintain instinctive pride

Your blood is carried in my veins

And blood’s thicker than time

But what if I cannot defend

The workings of your mind?

Still maybe in some shadow way

You felt the same as I:

Commit the lesser treason

For the sake of stronger ties