My genes are super-starred labeled
With mostly, Scottish thumb-prints,
Kissed here and there with those
Lovely red-headed Irish lilts
But strong threads of old England
Are said to sew all
These royal kingdoms together…

My husband’s family
Hails from President Grant’s
Illegitimate Civil War pursuits
And I’m told Dad’s roots can be
Traced back to those of General Lee
That God-like image from Stratford

Me, I was born in the South of Florida
Land of Ruby Reds, Sunshine and Disney
As was my younger sister, brother and precious son
Mother was born in the Hamptons
And claims Mayflower legacies
Me, and my Scottish pug

…do honor all these powerful
Gifts to my life and DNA…
Scotch, Irish, English, Floridian, Virginian,
The New Yorkers and the Hero of Appomattox
But I must confess
MY HEART is truly all American!

(Mountaintop Cottage In Tennessee
July 19,2006)

Debora Short

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/all-american-designer-genes/