Our Family is like a Hand –
Of which we are the Fingers²
Writing is both an Obligation
To and a Link with our Family³
It is important to remember who is
Related to whom and in what Degree⁴
Is Belonging & Fulfillment possible Without
Family? No! – is it possible With Family? No!⁵
We Claim Kindred – and have our Claims Allow’d⁶
When I remember my Mother and Father, my
Sister and Brother, my Veins Flow into theirs⁷
Joining the World of the Fathers, Mothers,
Brothers, & Sisters, one becomes Great⁸
When I say Family – I mean All
The ways we Need each other⁹
Living surrounded by Family:
A Sign of a Life well Lived¹⁰
¹ Emily Dickinson, Death Is the Subtle Suitor
² Daniel Quinn, Ishmael
³ Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness
⁴ J.R.R. Tolkien, Prologue to The Lord of the Rings
⁵ Diana Khoi Nguyen, Ghost Of
⁶ Oliver Goldsmith, The Deserted Village
⁷ Rebecca Newth, A Journey Whose Bones Are Mine
⁸ Chandogya-Upanishad 8.2.1-4 tr. Swami Lokeswarananda
⁹ Laura Hershey, Translating the Crip
¹⁰ Ann Lauterbach, Task: To Open