For Sale
by Ora Barlow

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 a Rose.
And then there are some that just hit 'tween the eyes; That 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 such not often; Then this week-believe! I discovered Beth Coffin.

My wife I have teased about her pedigree, That listed some queer ones as own 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 we find make us wail,And tempted to offer some surnames for sale.

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