Matrilateral Line

Oh yes indeed, we are related
cousin says,
though the resemblance may be faint.

We go a long way back,
Battle of Hastings, to be exact
and maybe even further.
I have researched it.

We have the same name—
well, not the same name,
a name the same
as a man once or twice removed
along the matrilateral line.

She draws her trees,
takes our bloodline for a walk
with cross-hatching
here and there to net
our unsuspecting ancestors.

It’s certain.
We are one unbroken line,
with gaps, of course
but I’m sure the documentation
will be found in time.