Ancestry

I study hard for the test because that part is free

but I’ve yet to order a kit as I can ill afford the fee.

This is what I was told so it’s not speculation from me,

my ancestry comes from two distinct groups of ethnicity.

To look back to discover who I am can easily be misconstrued

but looking back to discover my future is impossible to do.

Perhaps my blood line was influenced by the ways of the times

so the odd wayward sword and scabbard may have secretly met

or a sporran emptied to fulfill the desire for a tactile outlet.

If genes could only speak!

They might talk in the high-falutin designer lingo of Calvin Klein, Gucci or Armani

or the more grounded vernacular of Dickie’s, Wrangler or Levis – all possibilities.

It seems as though our jean’s waists and inseams are predicated by our genes

and may be unbecoming but easily rectified in our dreams.

Apparently some Frog spawn immigrated in the mid 1600’s to New France

and in the early 1900’s a couple of Scottish haggis munchers arrived in Canada.

Mom is a blend of the Bell and Byers stock known as “Scots on the Rocks!”

and Dad a mixture of Girard and Guichon referred to as “W(h)ine all the time!”

Half Scottish and half French is this genetically inherited fate of mine

that makes me 50% full of whisky and the other half full of wine

rendering me predisposed to carousing and revelry all of the time.

Food is the answer to soak up the excess alcohol

but what do I eat when there’s no official protocol?

Tam, kilt, brogues, beret, white shirt, capris and slip-ons the latent attire.

Heather, thistle, lavender and lilies adorn a table fit for a Squire.

Suppose I’ll start with escargot in porridge, garlic and oil

then haggis, neeps and tatties with baguettes and cheese

black pudding fondue with crepes dipped in scotch broth

beef bourguignon on scones leaves my savory palate appeased

but the best part for me is dessert and how could one possibly err

with sticky toffee pudding, shortbread, Crème Brule and éclair.

The country of Canada is where I abide,

I’m native as I was born here and native I’ll die.

Life Preserved in Word