Letter To Grandpa Ralph

As I thought upon the coming of February, the month designated as Black History Month, I began to think upon potential ancestors of long long ago. My imagination got the best of me, and this fictitious poem was born about a grandfather far back and beyond in history. Having never traced my ancestry, presently, I can only assume and place a timeline of my choosing going back some 400 years. **************************************************************************************************************************** Dear ancient one, so far away, so long removed. Yet I think of you and always try to follow your rule. That rule that survived some four centuries of time; That rule that held strong through crude high crimes; That rule of yours about looking far ahead and not bowing By weakening and pouting, but dreaming and praying instead. Through my imagination, I'm looking back deep into The corridors of time where once upon a time, there was you. I shall call you Ralph, the name of my first grandfather. Although my true history remains a mystery, I shall imagine you coming from a West African country like Ghana or Guinea. However, unless I do the research, I shall not know for certain what country or continent gave birth to thee, nor if you were bond or free. But if not free, could it be that some time after you were born, perhaps while yet a teen, in chains and so filled with pain, you may have stepped off that human cargo ship in 1619 that docked in Jamestown called 'The White Lion'? I know that you must have seen me in the distance, Playing, praying, and studying to one day make an entrance; An entrance that you could never conceive or dream of making. An entrance of a valued one, a person and not property, without chains And had a name. I have no doubt that you believed someday there'd be An awakening; one seen and heard in many tongues around the world, giving birth to a thousand songs, and impacting every race, creed, and culture, both the old and the young. Perhaps someday soon, I will trace my ancestors and discover who you really are. I know that in the passage of time, you are so far far away, but still I often wonder if you ever got the opportunity to have your say. Just a few days ago, I read the words of a very famous one who is among those who say that your descendants haven't gone very far nor benefited much from changes and improvements. But grandpa Ralph, I beg to differ. You must know that you did not pray and suffer for me in vain. Many things have indeed changed for the better, and that is really the reason I'm writing to you this letter. Although it is true that the heart of mankind is basically the same, people are more tolerant of the cultures of others; and the Gospel of Christ has reached far and wide, changing many hearts and minds with the force of ocean tides. Although greed and hate flourish around the world, much of colonialism has given way to sovereign states. There is more that I could say and disclose but with this I shall close. Anyway Grandpa Ralph, no matter how long or far removed we are, I'll always treasure and think of you each time I observe the morning star. Your descendant and grandson, Sitruc 012321FBPS