> << (A Poem Dedicated to All the John Thompsons) by Jeanette Sartain > > > Wherefore art thou? > Now that I need you > to give me a hint > that will help me sort through > the desk-top mountain > of research I've compiled > (and that's not counting > the stuff I've filed!) > > You see, you're my hobby..... > I should say, "obsession", > you're the brick wall > in my kinship regression! > You don't know me, > but I know you, > and you couldn't have imagined > what I'd go through > just to get a glimpse > of your personality, > and make some sense > of your locality. > > Believe me, I know > That you're not to blame --- > It's your parents who gave you > that popular name! > And as you grew, > no nickname was used > to separate you > from the rest of the brood. > Never called "Slim", > "Rowdy", or "Pogo", > you just kept > your original logo. > (And to liven up > this little game, > when your kids were born, > you gave them your name!) > > You delighted in constantly > moving around.... > And it seems you got married > in every town. > Buying here, selling there, > avoiding the census > without a care > for those of us later > who would search and scramble > to keep up with you > who liked to ramble. > > I'm not finding fault > that you were independent.... > I like you that way, > after all, I'm your descendant! > I really wouldn't have you > any other way > I'm a chip off your block, > we share DNA! > > So please guide my research, > send me a clue > that will help me find out > more about you. > You are not forgotten, > and at all cost, > I try to make sure > that your story's not lost. > You're alive and well > in my pedigree..... > so don't ever forget, > You matter to me. >> > >