Ruksznis

 

Frank and Peter

 

I wonder how different,

my life would have been,

Had Peter not traveled,

the ship called; "Zeeland".

Words are haltered,

by swells of emotion;

that, Peter had crossed

the wide Atlatic Ocean!

Leaving his family,

the closeness of friends-

he followed the call-

to "Ellis Island."

His aunt, had come

the year before,

and, sent her money

to bring over one more.

In 1908, Peter saw this great land,

with a song in his heart-

and, hard work in his hands.

He, then, earned the money-

to bring over another,

not long, there after,

came, Frank--his brother.

Brothers together, worked for one goal,

to bring all the family,

once more; to the fold.

Peter and Frank,

began their great plan,

one- worked in a factory,

one -worked on the land,

With heavy burdens,,

and, hearty goals--

they achieved, by endeavors,

to bring over the Papa,

and, prepare for the others.

The crops were abundant,

the farm, was acquired,

and, brought a full life,

to those, whom desired.

But, more often, then not,

comes a glitch in the plan-

WW1, had begun-

no ships were crossing.

Somem still remained,

communication had ceased..

Brother Joseph, was taken-

to the German Army.

In that "First World War",

two brothers did fight,

on opposite sides--

those dark, winter nights.

At home, in the village,

was a small little band.

Ggrandmother, so stong-

and, her youngest children!!

They gathered what grew,

in cold, barren lands-

few sticks; for few fires-

as they prayed, hand in hand.

The fighting now over in '22,

finally, a message,

 did make it's way through.

Preparations made, and money sent-

Four were ready, but, only three went!

Ggrandmother packed,

 what she could in her trunk,

to board the hugh ship, and--

to, America, come.

How sad was the news...

that, one.. must remain..

the quota was for Joseph,

was full, now--tear stained.

A mother's love, could not prevent,

this edict of the Lithuanian Government.

So, as the trio, boarded the ship-

stood a broken-hearted, Joseph-

with tears on his lips.

His life, he would live-

with great emptiness,

as across the wide ocean,

of wet, dreary space--

went all that he love,

his heart, and his grace!!

 

by

Shirley Ruksznis Young © 2000