For the sake of our name

we make little signs
we scratch little symbols
on pieces of paper 
we draw little x-x-x-x's
anywhere everywhere
to gather back into us
the departed 
to bring the absent 
back into the design 
of our family name

I am the end
of the line
the last federman
but I continue
to make believe
that it's only
the beginning

those
who listen
in silence
when I shout
our name
seem to certify
by their silence
that our name
is still there!
    
      Oh! Say..... can you hear... tralala ... tralala