Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

Usurpation of a Family Name. There was a family immigrating to the US, Many decades ago, when Ellis Island was in vogue. They were sitting on the hard-wooden benches, Listening for their surname to be called out, But which seemed never to be announced. Suddenly a name commenced to be called-- Repeatedly. No one responded. The seconds dragged on. The father of the family rose and claimed that name. Procedures evolved and the family Had a new name and a new nation. Was this right or wrong? What happened to the family who may have belatedly arrived, Finding only that they were disqualified-- Sending them back to their nascent nation? Were they escaping hardship or persecution? History will never let us know. Presently, the 'borrowing' ('thieving') family Jokingly relates the story as a family triumph. In these difficult political days for our country, Would the harsh, present regime find them out, Deporting them without a single humanitarian thought? Again, we may never know, But such illegality has occurred throughout our history. Frank Maurer 7 September 2025 1025 Hours.