Ancestors

I have wanted to start a review section of Jewish literature and art for some time. While the author I am showcasing today is not Jewish, her poem moved me to think about Judaism and its deep ties to our ancestors.  A.S. Sonder  wrote:

“I see in myself

my ancestors,

my blood’s memories:

Barefoot,

fingers in the clay,

bathing in the pale moonlight,

of a cool autumn night.”

The line that moved me the most was “my ancestors, my blood’s memories.” As a Jewish people, we carry the events of the past in our blood. For example, we feel we stood at Sinai and received The Torah ourselves. Also, we were brought out of slavery in Egypt ourselves. We are the people of the Exodus. Therefore, these events did not only happen to our ancestors. They live in us, our blood’s memories.  Our ancestors are our blood’s memories.

About The Author of “Ancestors“

While this poem, in particular, spoke to me on a spiritual and religious level, appropriate to share in this religious column, all of the writings I have read by A.S. Sonders have proven deeply moving and beautiful. A.S. Sonders is an author living in Paris, KY, writing poetry from the heart. Also, she has plans to publish a book of poetry in the future. She self-describes as “part fragile flower, part dandelion….writing about whatever strikes my fancy.”  A.S. Sonders writes about life in a way that makes her readers feel seen, exposing our deepest thoughts and feelings.  Though she is not a Jewish writer, I encourage any human of any faith to read her words, as they speak to the humanity in us all.

Therefore, I encourage you to stay updated on her writing adventures. Excitingly, you can follow A.S. Sonders on Facebook by clicking here.  By following her page, you can be the first to know when her book will be published and the first to read many of her beautiful poems.