Roots

With her mother

Brave and small

She persevered across the prairie

Fleeing oppression

Marked by grit and determination

Tiny hands, tightly gripping

Reigns

God surely with them

Youngest of five, chosen by her mother for a better life

Leona Pearl

Mother of one

Alone with her daughter

Country depressed

Shrewd

Married a grocery proprietor

Fed, sustained, survived

Ethel

Mother of five

Found love early

Fighting oversees took him too soon

Left with a life inside of her

Survivor

Wore a red ribbon

God delivered an angel

New life began with three

Followed by a family of Seven

Colorful, full, never easy

Myra

Unexpected

A gift from above

Radiance and joy

She gave and gives

To all her family

Their baby, their love

In her, for her

She is

Elaine

Mother of none

Yet

Ever slow, ever steady

Making her mark

Aware

All that she is

Guided

By His artistry

A painting in progress

A tree

Giving shade

Roots

Emily

Roots was written by Emily Turner and originally published in House of Hope, a publication of Retreat House Spirituality Center.