Genealogy Gold

An American colossus
of outsized accomplishment

esteemed father of this nation
with no biological heirs

many indirect descendants
from his Great-Aunt Anne's genes

an eighth great-grandmother
in my Meares family tree

ten generations later
well-diluted ancestor claim

still...shiny bit of kinship pride
for this lionized, distant cousin.

Birding in the Garden

Surprise attendance
with front-row seating
for glittery glamour show

scarlet and ruby reds
stunning blue, shiny green
rich orange and golden yellow

all with top-star billing
in flamboyant appearance
for stage-front, up-close inspection.