Time Line

You come from
a long line
of strong, fine women
that you will never know
but I will show
and tell you
all about them
as was told to me
The First
said “I don’t deserve this”
left with the five kids
and raised them by herself
The Second
loved a man
who went to war
and swore to himself that he would never speak of it
so he didn’t
for their fifty-two years together
The Third
loved you so dearly
that no matter what the cost
and no matter how hard it hurt
she did whatever she was told to do
to have as many days as possible with you
before her time ran out too soon
The Fourth
loves you more than you’ll ever comprehend
until you yourself get to send
this strength on down the line
in time
The End