us

Our past is European; genes and cells, assembled from
proteins, machinery of strong, inventive, joyful
people. In the Transylvanian Alps, German plains,
coastal Sweden, they herded sheep, tended farms,
mended nets, fought wars, mined coal. They traveled to
Bucharest, Frankfurt, Stockholm for trade, weddings.
Some were gypsies; wild, with love for life and
nature. Their dances, songs, tales, expressions from
their heart, stirring souls.

Now we’re American – pursuing liberty, concerned by
liberties preservation. We’re carbon atoms exchanged
between relatives, friends, foes. Those atoms, from
touch, now in our tissues, hearts, minds. We’re the
grains, fruits, vegetables eaten; preservatives,
steroids, antibiotics consumed. We’re the books read,
music made, sports played, joys and sorrow caused.

We’re the future. Yet, our present holds command of
our future. We’ll measure ourselves against ancestors,
friends, define ourselves by our standards, ideas,
dreams. We’ll become our triumphs, defeats,
achievements, failures, Loves, hates – though with
blessing, might the entireties serve to motivate more
than make complacent. We urn for beauty, truth, soul
of life - that which searches to know thyself.
-mt