Daily Haiku: Attachment

family having meal at the table
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Our attachment hurts
Family brings joy and pain
Yet still we must care

copyright Francis Barker 2020

Poem: Benjamin

baby sitting on man s shoulder
Photo by Maria Lindsey Multimedia Creator on Pexels.com

Benjamin is the younger son
and I am your youngest.
The little things meant the most:
A bike trip to collect samphire from the marsh.
We saw Boston Stump rising from the mists,
perpendicular to that great horizon
in a silence broken only
by a lone redshank’s cry.
Years later when you gave me that last look;
just a glance which said so much –
that you didn’t want me to go.
None of us want to go, or even know when
but I’m sure you had an inkling
you’d soon leave this succession of goodbyes

copyright Francis Barker 2019

England’s Heritage in Photos: Edenham Church, Lincolnshire – Wonderful Tombs

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The village of Edenham in south west Lincolnshire has a beautiful church dedicated to Saint Michael and All Angels.

My grandfather was born and brought up in a nearby hamlet.

Within the grounds are some wonderful tombs of local aristocratic families.

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copyright words and pictures Francis Barker 2019

Tanka: Anonymous DNA

photo of family on seashore
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I walk this fair earth
a step along winding paths
my lone DNA
passing anonymously
to a distant family

copyright Francis Barker 2019

Haiku: My DNA

people looking at laptop computer
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Celt Angle and Dane
Norman and Angevin too
Family branches

copyright Francis Barker 2019