Thoughts While Doing Family History

By Pia Connors

The author lives in Utah.

Like stars too many for the eye to grasp,

Names flow from my screen—

Elijah’s sweet galaxy!

Stark truths jump from cold numbers:

A daughter passing the veil

Twice on the same winter day,

Three sons in a row

Whose childhood laughter stopped short

Of starting school,

Two daughters who lived to marry

And feel the same aching losses repeat.

Crops that failed,

Country doctors with tireless hearts and

Meager knowledge,

Now and then a brave soul crossing to find

America.

Today I sit in warm comfort

Clicking and printing

To bring them home,

To restore lost hopes,

To turn hearts to hearts,

To answer prayers from centuries ago

Of those who dared to hope

That love is eternal,

Made so by a cup fully drained,

Now full.