A Royal Wedding
©copyright 2004 Bonita M Quesinberry, R.C.
One of my grandfathers, thrice great or more,
came from Britain to America's shore.
British aristocrats, he and his wife,
quickly gained rich ground without any strife.
They were English, this Questinbury clan,
whose own slaves worked their Quesinberry land.
Soon there were daughters catching young men's eyes,
and handsome sons: tall, strong, ready to ride.
The youngest set out to see this nation,
slave driving not to be his vocation.
He rode rugged, wild southwest trails;
weathered hardships and never got frail.
Then one day, he met the girl of his dreams—
and, he must have been made for her, it seems—
for with her father it soon was agreed:
"A royal wedding to be," was decreed.
She was a princess with long silken hair,
graceful in stride with features fine and fair.
Young Quesinberry started his new life,
wrote that he would bring home his special wife.
Slaves rushed to clean and dust the plantation,
planning many gala celebrations.
That royal bride must see them at their best,
and it's highly polished family crest.
The long awaited day at last arrived:
two riders rode up the long, tree-lined drive.
Rejoicing turned to dismay and alarm:
there was an Indian on this son's arm.
They never would receive a Cherokee:
forgot Questinburgs had fled Germany.
Thus, this his youngest son, father disowned;
him and her sent from family and home.
The name's spelling again would get a change,
Cherokee blood would subtly rearrange.
There are only a few Quesinberry's,
and some of those spell it Quisenberry.
My staunch grandfather asked about my thoughts
concerning this tree his forefathers wrought.
Fearing my boldness, my aunt held her breath;
sure I'd anger him, even cause his death.
"They were a bunch of snobs," I bluntly said.
His laughter roared as his face turned bright red.
So, I'm a little Cherokee princess,
Then another bit of German empress,
And a wee bonnie lass of Irish cream,
together with some French and Brit, it seems.
Oh, and a Castillian Spanish quarter.
All these should just about set the mortar.
Of course, they did have that big plantation;
so who can say who are my relations?
Who and whatever, I do love them all.
They were a bunch of snobs! That is my call.
Perhaps, she's why I love nature's features:
trees and flowers, and all of God's creatures.
In a list
A contest entry
- Tell me about your family. by Zannah.
700 points, ended February 7, 23 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Autobiographical Poem by Diminished Capacity.
900 points, ended August 30, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Oh, I so much enjoyed this!! So very well done... Painting such a story of ancestors
Captivating!
Best wishes,
A~
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This is excellently written, what an interesting family tale. I enjoyed reading this. Good luck in the contests
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Wow, I love the background of ancestry you have put in this.
It's nice to know to get to know one another through our poems.
And you really have described just bascily everything one needs to know.
You know my grandfather had quite the german in him and let me tell you, you can tell it ,and my grandmother had Irish. What a combination, eh?
Now on my mothers side my grandfather half cherokee,and my grandmother well i don't really know. I just know she had some indian in her.
I really enjoyed this read. It was great to get to know another poetess.
Thanks for sharing.
-Mandi
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Interestingly, by the time the Questenburys moved to American, the line was almost all British. Voila! My grandfather came along and married a German girl, putting it back into the bloodline.
The Irish, French and Spanish are from my mother's side: she was 1/2 Castillian Spanish, her father from Spain. You can tell I take after that side, for all the Quesinberrys (dad) are blond and blue eyed. So! When I have a ditzy day, I just tell everyone that it's those dadburn blond roots sticking in my brain.
Good to meet you, Mandi! Luv & hugs, BonQ 
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Funny you say that on my dads side they're all blonde haired and blue eyed..
I say that come from that german grandfather of mine.
But somehow all got mixed up with Indians and now we have Blonde,Brunette,Auburn,and the ocassionai red head. lol
Brown , blue, green, and hazel colored eyes, with the occassion mixed one eye color brown and the other green.. lol
But hey we're all family and we love each other and that's what matter's the most,eh?
It was nice meeting you too!
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Very nice. I love it. Good luck in the contest
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Lovely story and so well writen, very interesting to know
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Wow
I love the story about your ancestry! I wrote one about a comment my great aunt made in a Christmas card this past year because I had asked about my father's grandparents because I kept feeling a christian connection so thence I wrote A Christian Witness. This was very enjoyable. Blessings.
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aw this is such a cute story about 2 people trying to find a better life and being so in love!
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Very interesting.
I am part Cherokee myself and I found your story one that I can certainly relate too. You did a wonderful job of showing that prejudice never helps anything.
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Lovely!
Ah Bonnie! I don't think I ever read this one before. I love it. Now I know a bit more about you and your heritage!
Beautifully versed story poem. You are so very gifted dear sis.
Love and hugs - jo -
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Yep, Sis, just another mongrel that our Father found dumped out on the street, so He adopted me. It is an interesting heritage, but I was serious when I told paternal Grandfather that I thought the Questinbury's were a bunch of snobs.
Ahhh, and you are so sweet to say I am gifted. . . uh, but. . . at what? We already know I'm not a poet!
Much luv & hugs, SisBon 
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