My Family Tree

Explorin' the branches of the family tree can be rather dicey. Some ancestors could be famous, humdrum er downright spicy! With bated breath I decided to take the risk and check around. I wasn't all that enthralled about some of the dudes that I found! Seems that in the distant past a member of my family strain, Was a notorious pirate maraudin' the boundless Spanish Main! Another was a nefarious cattle rustler ever on the vamoose, 'Til a posse tracked him down and left him danglin' from a noose! One forebear, a scoundrel who specialized in robbin' trains, Was ensconced fer life in a cozy cell, detained in clankin' chains! A rowdy ancestor caused a ruckus in a Cripple Creek saloon; The high sheriff done him in one fateful August afternoon! My lineage included a business lady of whom I proudly spoke, 'Til it was revealed she was a soiled dove, dismayin' this poor bloke! My great-grandpa was caught dispensin' jugs of potent 'shine! Revenooers busted him resultin' in a term in jail and a hefty fine! A distant uncle was a goon in a notorious gangster mob. He met his Maker heistin' a bank they were tryin' to rob! I proffered a prayer as I examined my tragic family tree: "Lord, may a sturdy twig adorn this tree and let it begin with me!" Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (c) All Rights Reserved Entry for Judy Konos' "Relatives" Contest