Predators in the underbrush,
thunder from an angry god.
A fire takes away the chill, but
the life span is short and lonely.
Hark!
Are they chanting? Calling out to ancestors?
What sounds echo in their ears,
in this cave that is their home?
What sounds, indeed? I wonder —
do they love their young?
or one another? You know
they live on in us, in our genes,
our blood, shaping us in ways we
know not. But hark again! Listen closely.
Their reverberations persist deep
within our inner chambers. If you listen
closely you can hear them,
even now.
Pub. earlier in Time Wrinkles, 2015
NANMYKEL.COM 
it is haunting,
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Thank you…
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Thanks. I am haunted by the thought of it, too.
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I think all reverberations live on. They may get a bit more subtle but they’re there if we can tune in. Sounds like you’re still tuning in Nan, at 82. Certainly your thoughts, feelings and writings are as valid as anyone’s no matter what your age. Keep sharing, we can all learn from each other!
Gayle ~
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Many thanks for the encouragement. But did you hear? I made a mistake. I’m only 81–for now.
: D
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Your poem is a lovely thought Nan, the idea of bringing our ancestors a little closer to us, even the ones we’ve never met. Just ten generations back is over a thousand people! Pretty amazing considering each one came with his and her own amazing story of survival. Even if fortunes got reversed, everyone helped bring us to where we are now, so there’s a lot to be grateful for. Wish I knew all their stories. Thanks, R
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Yes, by hook or by crook we got made! I’m not sure I want to hear all their stories! But thanks for the kind thoughts.
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Beautifully haunting.
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Thanks-I replied way above. I must not do these in the right order!
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“Echoes of the ancestors ride the winds of change”….a phrase I remember from something I read long ago. Your lovely words called it back to me. Good read!
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Thanks. Let me know if the source comes to you.
Nan
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“Echoes of the ancestors ride the winds of change”… sigh … beautifully haunting!
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I think I hear them too… especially at night… are they calling me back?
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We can follow them back, but they don’t know we exist yet. They are just doing the best they know how.
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I am listening closely Nan ~ Can you please contact me at sometimesg@yahoo.com ?
Thanks!
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I can contact you when my assistant comes. I’ve tried but I guess I don’t know how–among a lot of other computer things! I’m at nmykel@gmail.com
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Terrific Nan, such a resonant piece – I hear it still…
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Great, I’m so happy.
: D
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I like these words: “You know/they live on in us, in our genes,/our blood, shaping us in ways we/know not.” This describes some conscious reality that influences us today. That is what makes it haunting and less “lonely”. If it were an “it”, some genes or neurons, it would be something to merely overcome. I also like the idea that “our inner chambers” are their “cave”.
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Thanks. I think I have a lot of cave woman in me!
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I missed this post earlier! Well done!
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Deep inside we all share something…universal. Yes!
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Love this glimpse into our ancient ancestors.
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I appreciate your response!
Nan
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