i saw him sitting there
leaning against a tree
spreading out tiny
squares of paper
with precision intensity
he opened a tiny bag a
tobacco smell WafTinG out
beginning gently laying
a straight line on
the paper thereabout
beyond him they stood in
a photo sepia toned
i watched him begin to rOLL
years marching by
he slowly rOLLed his own
a factory owner with
his worker’s stand
‘neath tinted photo sun
touting cigars a
few handle bar moustaches
some with Bowler hats on
walnut trees *dot* the
cobblestone streets in
Germantown, PA
“CIGAR MANUFACTURING”
advertisements
cigars on display
smells of leafy tobacco
PerMeaTe the air
penetrating the
worker’s clothes to
filter through their hair
greenish brown tobacco
leaves are neatly
placed just so then
layed upon still
moistened leaves
to be carefully rOLLed
my German uncle
Scottish grandfather own
the factories there
where workers sit
amidst tobacco leaves
staining hands and shirts
he finishes rolling at last
licking paper to press
closed the cigarette
with his thumb
he tamps the tobacco down
tamping it down fast
behind him the workers stand
watching him now
complete the task
smiles overcoming frowns
they are pleased i can see
he knows how to rOLL his own
© September 2012
Renee Espriu
I don’t have a lot of family history here in the States that I find interesting but having relatives who owned cigar factories in the early 1900’s is a bit unique. I remember seeing someone roll their own cigarette and remembered some old photos showing both my uncle’s and grandfather’s factories and began to think…maybe too much…but wanted to share. Both of these family members’ families did migrate here at some point to the US from Germany and Scotland. Lots of immigrants started their own businesses and they were no exception.
reneejustturtleflight.com 
Renee, I love the rhythm to this. Nicely done, and the history of your family is quite interesting.
Pamela
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Thanks Pamela! I had told you prior of my father’s family coming from Northern Spain but this is mom’s side. She didn’t speak alot about her family until she was much older so it was hard to glean but thankfully there are these very old photos my grandmother left. Something to think about. I have been enjoying reading your posts of late. Some really nice writing.
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A very interesting history well crafted in this poem, Renee
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Thank you and for visiting. Hope you are well.
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There is art and beauty in everything. I love the feel, the smell, the texture in this Renee. It’s somehow good to learn about our past and how things happened to bring us to where we are. I truly don’t think any peoples can say they are the ‘originals’ we all go somewhere from somewhere to maybe settle, populate and then move on. I am from Romany, Italian, Irish and German stock too.
Loved this 🙂
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My mother was German, Scottish, Irish, English and my father Spanish, French, German and Seminole Indian. I sometimes joke and say, “But where are the Italians!” :() Thank You!
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I love this family-connection write on tobacco rolling. Always loved the smell of tobacco…not so much the smoke… What an interesting heritage you come from, Renee…it seems like many of us are a “hodge-podge” of nationalities…I rather like that idea. No Italian in my family either though… 🙂
Seems my parents, like yours, never were very forthcoming about sharing stories of their past and of their relatives…I wonder why that is…we kids usually are fascinated by learning about them.
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Families are quirky things. My dad loves to tell about how his family migrated from France down into Mexico and then into the states and that is only a part of the family…his mother’s and he was the youngest of four sons so that might have played a part. Mother, on the other hand, did tell some about her German heritage but little about the others. My curious sister and I have had to dig to get more information. Thank You!
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Many thanks for your visit and lovely comment!
***
Have a nice week****
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Renee, I’m glad you did share this. My own impressions of cigar factories come only from old movies. This was interesting and clearly told. I like that you did it in poem. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing some this unique family history.
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Quite frankly, I was well into adulthood before I knew of this part of my heritage as mother was not very forthcoming to talk of her family. But as she got older I found her family was very interesting in many ways. Not often one can have this kind of legacy so I am all to glad to share. Thank You!
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a walk down the memory lane! what an amazing poem!
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I love to know of my families’ history as to know those who came before as being part of who you are…well, what could be better than that. Thank You!
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A wonderful share Renee, loved that poem and to read a little history of your own family.. amazing
Thank you Sue xx
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Thank You Sue! My dad is always talking about his mother’s family so that is what I mainly heard growing up and I think mom thought her family was not so interesting but really, I don’t think she understood how wonderful a past she was connected to.
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