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Yesterday I read that scientists had finished writing the "book of life", the three billion chemical letters of DNA that make up the human genome. This was done two years ahead of schedule, and will usher in a new era of discovery and medical advances. Less than three years ago, the publicly funded International Human Genome Consortium produced a working draft of the genome, a feat compared with landing men on the moon. I was gob-smacked, and wrote a piece of light verse in reply. I've dug it out from a heap of other material, and offer it to you. ( If the last line requires explanation, then I'll be happy to give it!). Enjoy!


Genome.

Geneticists have shown
that I am related
to Attila The Hun,
The Prophet Mohammed
and Leonard Cohen.

It's his Y chromosome,
back-tracked DNA bits;
the profile fits. Before
they grasp their Nobel Prize,
I'd like to add

awards belong to dad.
He'd sit me on his knee;
recite his stories, short
and tall, declare we're all
Jock Tamson's bairns.

I love the humour so far, Andrew....however, you're right, the last line remains in obscurity for this Stateside person. Now, does this mean Linda and I are related ? Given the range of your own ancestry, I would have to give it an unequivocal yes!

Bye cuz ,
Lizzy

Cuz Andrew ,

I agree with our cuz Lizzy as to the humor and as to the obscurity of the last line.
Maybe this is the very part in our Book of Life that hasn't been written yet by the biologists... (So you'll have to write it, Andrew! )
However, I especially like the part that emphasizes the importance of social experience, and I'd rather have the mothers and fathers all over the world get the Nobel Prize than those dizzying our sights with geno-mist.

Best Regards to my cousins Linda , partisan and Vesuvius , and to all the others ...

Tom

Regarding the last line of "Genome", I'm trying to find a web-link for those who are "stateside" or on any other side. I need a good Scots dictionary to explain this one, but it's very simple in context.
As for Elizabeth and Linda being cousins, well it goes back much further than that. I'll say no more right now, but reserve the right to reply.
Tom, thanks for your reply: yes, you're right about parents deserving the prizes.
Andrew.

Yes, the genetics have proved very complicated...................
Georges

The last line, I think, comes from Robert Burns, but I'm not sure. All I know is "we're all Jock Tamson's bairns" was a colloquial phrase used as a means to defuse conflict, whether on grounds of race, colour or religion.
I'm speaking for many people who understand this, but I'll find the root and post it on the board.
These "many people" tend to be Scots of a certain age.
Andrew.
P.S. Is this post the first reference to Robert Burns? If so, it's about time.

Rev. John Thomson
1778 - 1840
Minister at Duddingston and artist. Born at Dailly (South Ayrshire), where he was minister (1800), before moving to become the most famous minister of Duddingston Kirk (1808 - 1840). Perhaps best remembered in the expression "We're all Jock Tamson's Bairns".

Thomson was a noted landscape artist, one of the first in Scotland, and although always acclaiming his amateur status, his painting gave him significant wealth.

The Thomson Tower on the side of Duddingston Loch was his studio, and where the rules of the game of Curling were committed to paper. He was a friend of Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832), who was an elder at Duddingston Kirk.

I couldn't get the Burns connection clear, but maybe you're luckier than I, Cuz Andrew.

It really was about time to get Robert Burns in it. After all everybody knows that "auld aquaintance" shouldn't be forgot, nor "days of auld lang syne"...

Tom

Dear Tom,
Thanks for digging out the references to "we're all Jock Tamson's bairns". What a striking piece of research! This came as a complete surprise to me, especially since Duddingston Kirk is a mile away from where I live!
This is the second geographical coincidence since I joined the Forum: the first concerned Harry Lauder, of whom Leonard Cohen's dad was a big fan. Harry Lauder was born a few streets from where I live!
Well, cousin, it's a small world, ain't it?
Thanks again,
Andrew.

In the times when there is so much conversation consisting of "we", "us", "them" and "our" defined by national, religious and ethnic boundary lines this poem makes a very refreshing and humorous mental leap.

Dear Kush,
"a very refreshing and humorous mental leap". You caught the gist of the poem. If I did that for you, or anyone else on this board, then the poem spoke. It's a good device to mask message with humour. We all do it: that's the way we survive.
Yours, as aye,
Andrew.
P.S. There are some dangerous DNA liasons involving certain members on this board. All will be revealed soon.
DNArew .

Now that worked out well, DNArew.....you were meant to write the poem. Yes, thank you for the bairns explanation ~ all of you. It closed it perfectly.

Ciao Andrew,

This poem on DNA was splendid. And I also agree with Lizzytysh that she is related to Attila the Hun. Profound thought.


Vesuvius

Linda may not appreciate you calling her that, Vesuvius.

With your high-level clarity skills, if this is profound, where does shallow have left to go? Now that it's been determined that he is not a she, major clues are piling up in the newsroom as to your age, as well .

We are all just kith and kin

Ciao, Vesuvius,
I'm the one who is related to Attila The Hun, not Linda or Lizzy. Perhaps you were thinking about Attila The Hen? The research goes on: my laboratory is revealing startling discoveries as I write
Keep in touch,
DNArew.