This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Poetry Challenge it is a themeprompt provided by Yvette Calleiro Beginnings and Endings
My husband and I decided to take advantage of the recently emerged DNA ancestry projects and in 2001 we both had our mitochondrial DNA tested. If you want an insight into the process before having your own DNA tested then I suggest you read Dr. Bryan Sykes book The Seven Daughters of Eve – Amazon
When submitted, an individual’s mitochondrial DNA, passed along through the female line, is tested against seven sets of bones. Each of the identified set of bones found in various regions in Europe was given a name. My results showed that my DNA came from Helena whose bones dated back around 20,000 years ago. She was old for the time, at around 42 years old, which speaks to her strength and health.
In 2017 I also submitted my DNA to Ancestry and here is the latest profile showing not just the route of my ancestors from Helena, but also on my father’s side.
Because I don’t have any children, Helena’s bloodline will end with me, although around the world there will be millions of women who will continue to pass along her genes.. what a legacy.
I have created a Choka… to reflect the beginning and endings to my particular thread to Helena.
Choka – Origins
a journey begun
twenty thousand years ago
ancient ancestor
bones preserved in sacred cave
a woman of strength
gifting her precious bloodline
passed through her daughters
across the millenia
to end here with my passing
©Sally Cronin 2022
My most recent book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021
One of the reviews for the collection
You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2022
Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.
What a journey, indeed! And your poem reflects that so beautifully, Sally. Congrats on the fab review! Hugs 💕🙂
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Thanks very much Harmony.. ♥
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Wow, Sally! That was perfect! I felt the depth of that gift in your poem. I loved it! 🙂
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Thanks for the wonderful prompt Yvette.. I enjoyed the challenge..♥
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Thank you, Sally! I still need to write my own poem. Lol! It’s easier to respond to blogs when I have a few minutes at work. Creating a poem takes silence for me. I’ll get to it eventually. 🙂
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Look forward to reading Yvette…hugs xx
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I find the DNA search for our past fascinating, Sally. I loved your poem, of where it starts and has traveled to. Xo
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Thanks very much Denise…I have a great fondness for Helena and a small thank you for what she has passed along to me..xxx
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You masterfully shared the journey, discovery, and energy of this profound information!
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Thanks very much Annette… I have always been fascinated by who might be in my past…even as far back as 20,000 years.. ♥♥
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What a lovely reflection and poem, Sally. One phrase captured the journey for me — “passed through her daughters.” How beautiful, so much so that it gave me pause and prompted reflection on my family’s journey. 🤗
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Thanks very much Gwen.. it is amazing how far back our own traits come from.. some men and women we may never know the name of…♥♥
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing Michael..hugsx
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The poem is a great one, and meets the journey of your ancestors genes very well, Sally! But, why the heck nobody has ancestors from the eastern territories of ancient Germany? Lol Tacitus wrote about the Vandales living there. Beeing honest my ancestors are also not from this area. :-)) xx Michael
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Clearly there needs to be an investigation Michael…but if you don’t come from there either then it cannot be a place of great import lol.. hugsx
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I forgot a very important thing: We now should call you Sally Helena Georgina. 😉
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That will do nicely lol thanks Michael..hugsx
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Oh Michael, you are so funny! Have a good weekend.
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Thanks, Robbie! 🙂 Have as well a great weekend! xx Michael
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It’s mind-boggling tot think that you can identify an ancestor from 20,000 years ago! I was moved by your poem.
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Thank you Liz…I went from not having met my grandparents on both sides to being connected to millions. My husband did the test and the bones he connected to were part of Helena’s genetic family only three thousand years later. I find it fascinating.. xx
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You’re welcome, Sally. It is enough to blow one’s mind!
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What a fascinating journey discovered through DNA, Sally. And the poem is just perfect!
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Thanks very much Jan ♥
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This is amazing, Sally… An amazing story of life passed down through the ages. Beautifully shared!
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Thanks very much Bette ♥
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Sally this is excellent! But so sad, my friend. 😢💖
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Thank goodness that Helena will have created millions of other daughters who carry on her bloodline but it is sad that I have not added to it.. such is life..♥♥
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But you’ve added so much love, beauty, and joy in this world. Those things matter to me. ❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks very much Colleen.. that means a great deal ♥♥
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Hugs and love to you, Sally. ❤
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♥♥
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This is a beautiful and very moving poem, Sally. I do think it’s amazing that it’s possible to take us back through time to individuals through our DNA. (And that’s a terrific review!) xx
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Thanks very much Alex.. so pleased you liked it.. and it is amazing to think that all those thousands of years ago someone you are connected to physically was walking the earth.. plus of course her mothers before her must have been resilient too for her to be so strong. ♥♥
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Oh Sal, I had goosebumps on that one. And I do remember you sharing with us your DNA searches. I think it’s amazing! ❤
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Thanks Debby… Who knows Helena may be the mother of us both!!! Which may explain things lol.. ♥♥
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Now that’s something to ponder! 🙂 ❤
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♥
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This is so interesting, Sally, and a great poem to go with your findings.
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Thanks very much Robbie.. it is comforting to be able to see how far you have come and how resilient humans are.. have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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Wonderful poem and review Sally. 🙂
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Thanks very much Marje…have a good weekend..hugsx
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And to you too Sally. xx
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Beautiful, Sally – really makes you think about the past. Toni x
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Thanks very much Toni ♥
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I like the poem and the history. It’s fascinating to be able to trace that far back.
Thanks for sharing.
Pat
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Thanks very much Pat.. I love having that connection to the distant past… have a lovely weekend. x
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Thank you, you too🙂
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What a powerful poem, Sally. I did the same ancestral journey though Ancestry, and found it fascinating. In truth, each of us started our genetic journey millions of years ago. That’s a lot of evolution and a lot of generational survival. Loved your poem.
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Thanks very much Diana.. I find it fascinating and when I read both Jean M Auel and Jacqui Murray’s books I find them magical. We have come so far in many ways…some perhaps not so much! ♥♥
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They are fascinating. And to think that those characters really aren’t so long ago in the long history of evolution.
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That’s amazing, Sally…. and so poignant too.
❤
David
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Thanks very much David..♥
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