before computers

my father’s uncle
and two cousins
(once removed)
spent hours
traveling
researching
logging names by hand
strenuously typing
correcting
retyping
revising

everyone in our family
has photos
films
documents
letters
memories
(still inside skulls)

grand-uncle has an archive
but whether it’s filed away
or squirreled away
remains to be seen

speaking of squirrels
they live in his attic
digesting our history
chewing it into bits
sleeping in it
messing on it
living in bits of paper
thank you very much
for cushioning our nest

thank goodness for computers
for cleverly designed software
for scanners and storage devices
for archival storage supplies
original documents now
easily saved
easily managed
easily maintained
easily shared

my role?
technological bridge builder
fact finder
historian
documentarian
preserver of memories

poet

object?
record
as much as i can
in what time remains

respect
admiration
gratitude
to the pioneers of family history
who blazed the trail
with such rudimentary tools

i stand in awe

fl
20130819