Family Tree by Ericka Clay - HTML preview

Family Tree

A Poetic Remembrance

Family Tree

First edition. October 14, 2025.

Copyright © 2025 Ericka Clay.

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Published by Ericka Clay.

Cover design by Ericka Clay.

"From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

‘Father will be divided against son

and son against father;

mother against daughter

and daughter against mother;

and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

(Luke 12:49-56)

Families. In an Eden-esque sense, they're a place of peace and comfort, the ultimate reminder of heaven and who our God is. But then, sin. But then, brokenness. But then, a world that could have been but never was.

But sometimes? Still glimpses.

These poems are from my past, my memories. I could say these are the people and places and events that made me, but that would be wrong. My Lord made me. The things I'm writing about? They were the result of a fallen world, teaching me love in the midst of pain and disappointment.

I pray comfort for you through these poems. If you're all alone and looking around, wishing you, too, had the "perfect" family, don't worry, friend. Those don't exist. But You know who does? The God who loves and cares for you and knew you before time existed.

And what a hopeful, miraculous thing, knowing we will one day be with Him forever.