Neves Family (Neves Ranch in Scott Valley) ca. early 1900's.
The photo shows Mary Cabral Neves, Manuel Neves, Cecelia Neves Deas, Louie Neves, Joe Neves, Manuel Neves Jr. Lily Neves, Mary Neves, (daughter)
Photo, and poem below, submitted by Lara Gularte, 3rd generation Portuguese-American and great-granddaughter of Mary Neves. Poem © Lara Gularte, all rights reserved.
California Bride; 1879
Bones half-grown, she rises
from a ship's dark hold
. Gives herself up
to a hard-handed miner,
and grows thin from miscarriage,
fat from pregnancy.
Sings songs in Portuguese
as she hurries from cabin to sluice box
in small calloused feet.
I remember the old woman,
not the girl.
A widow in black,
with thick stockings, heavy shoes.
Lived in the corner
of my grandmother's kitchen
gluing broken dishes.
Always moving and praying.
Boiled her own egg
till the day she died.
The face of Maria Neves
floats in my dreams.
She was my great grandmother.
I wear her eyes,
speak in her voice.
She is waving her hands,
reshaping the air
to tell me in broken English,
that "life is no sugar."
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