Our family is like a Hand—
Of which we are the fingers—²
Writing is both an Obligation to
And a Link with our family.³
We claim Kindred—
And have our claims allow’d.⁴
It is important to remember who is
Related to whom and in what Degree.⁵
Is Belonging & Fulfillment possible without family?
No! Is it possible with family? No!⁶
When we say Family—we mean
All the ways we Need each other.⁷
Living surrounded by Family is
A Sign of a Life well Lived.⁸
When we remember our Mother & Father,
Our Sister & Brother, our Veins flow into theirs—⁹
Joining the world of the Fathers, Mothers,
Brothers, & Sisters, we become Great!¹⁰
¹ Emily Dickinson, Death Is the Subtle Suitor
² Daniel Quinn, Ishmael
³ Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness
⁴ Oliver Goldsmith, The Deserted Village
⁵ J.R.R. Tolkien, Prologue to The Lord of the Rings
⁶ Diana Khoi Nguyen, Ghost Of
⁷ Laura Hershey, Translating the Crip
⁸ Ann Lauterbach, Task: To Open
⁹ Rebecca Newth, A Journey Whose Bones Are Mine
¹⁰ Chandogya-Upanishad 8.2.1-4 tr. Swami Lokeswarananda