Surnames for Sale

Surnames that I have in my ancestral line,

Four hundred now listed and all of them mine.

Are often most common like Jones or like Smith,

Like Johnson or Barber that we can live with;

But then there are others that lift, I suppose;

I've a Bliss and a Jasper, a Heaven and Rose.

And then there are some that just hit 'tween the eyes

And give you a shock, or a laugh, of surprise.

For years I have had one with name of John Death.

When I first had found him it near took my breath,

But then I thanked goodness I found not such often;

Then this week - believe it! - discovered Beth Coffin!

My wife I have teased about her pedigree,

That listed some queer ones as on my own tree,

For she has a Webb and a Cobb in her line.

Cobwebs in your ancestry surely is fine!

They say of our forebears we ought to be proud,

And not be supposing we're born 'neath a cloud,

But some of our names that we find make us wail

And tempted to offer some surnames for sale.

--Ora Barlow