my grandfather's grandfather

my grandfather’s grandfather
traded his Seneca name
for a railroad job.

it was the law those days
just before
the Civil War.

he left New York
and came south.

he soldiered with the Union,
married,
and settled near Pittsburgh.
of him we know little else.

            and I wonder these things:
                        how did he look?
                       did he miss the forest paths?
                       were there animals in his real name?