Jimmie Ware’s most recent poem to appear here was “Blue Water” (December 2013)
Family Ties
By Jimmie Ware
Ancient drums and hanging trees
Civil rights and a southern breeze
Little white churches built on red dirt
We came to worship even as we hurt
Unity was once the order of the day
We cared for one another
We were taught to pray
Traditional hymns
Organs and pianos
Fire and brimstone
Powerful sopranos
Grandmother on the porch
Bible in hand
Teaching us unity
Living on her land
Raindrops fell
All during my youth
Not everyone would tell
The entire truth
Family secrets somehow kept
Eventually surfaced
Alas, we wept
Still and all
I have deep love
For those yet here
For those up above
Ancient chants and honeybees
Bare feet in green grass under
Magnolia trees
I remember the bluest of skies
What ever happened to our
Family ties?
This poet has “been there” and raises the question that I’ll bet a lot of folks, especially from the south, are asking.
This is beautiful. I followed along as if I was there. This reminds me of a life in a simpler time in my life.
Very lovely poem