Young Writers Project is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists that started in Burlington in 2006. Each week, VTDigger publishes the writing and art of young Vermonters who post their work on youngwritersproject.org, a free, interactive website for youth, ages 13-19. To find out more, please go to youngwritersproject.org or contact Executive Director Susan Reid at sreid@youngwritersproject.org; (802) 324-9538.
It’s human nature to look to our own past to better understand our present. We seek identity not only through our profession, interests, aesthetics and relationships, but also in where — and whom — we come from. On a personal journey to find herself, this week’s featured poet, Galya Siegel-Bromberg of Thetford, wonders at the roots of her ancestors.
If you were to trace my roots
Galya Siegel-Bromberg, 12, Thetford
If you were to trace my roots,
what would you see?
Would my past be full of kings and queens,
royalty,
people who had everything handed to them?
Or would my ancestors be
heroes,
warriors?
Villagers,
voyagers?
Weavers,
painters?
Civilians?
If you were to trace my roots,
would they be silver and delicate,
like tree branches in winter?
Would they be every color
mixed into a spiderweb?
Do my roots define me?
Am I my ancestors?
If you were to trace my roots,
would they be a straight road
with no bumps or hills,
an easy path,
or would they be filled
with mistakes and troubles,
wars and fights —
but also
celebrations and parties,
accomplishments,
joy,
smiles and love?
If you were to trace my roots…
I would like to see.
