Unforgettable State

We finally found it our turn to visit. We walked in the old
quiet house. We were told he was downstairs;
feeling a little nervous I looked at my sister
then we both went to see.
Grandma greeted us with a smile, energized like her life and
the care she performed. She sat on a chair
in the corner of his room never to leave
her sweet heart in his difficult state.
Hard to come into realization, we looked at superman;
us knowing that this was our invincible grandpa,
the one who took up all our memories.
Too fatigued, his granddaughter gripped his hand to the spoon
and gently lifted it to his mouth.
I sat there watching not sure what to say
or what to do. This wasn’t a visit where
we un pack our suitcases in the rooms we called;
we weren’t going to go play ping pong and
start a game of pool; this was different.
This final visit would rehearse repeatedly in our thoughts
for the rest of our lives. I held his hand looking into his
half shut eyes to find my grandpa who
portrayed so quiet. I smiled because I love him
and said “I’ll see you soon.”

My Grandpa

My Grandpa

in black and white

hands in overall pockets,

rowdy hair

eighty years past.



Things we know of him

stay, become secure.

Heroic attributes worth

life changing

among a person



Once he passed came

sudden recollections of it all.

Fifteen year old memories

were as clear as

a recent winter visit



At goodbyes, anxious

to receive locked up

wonders-

He gave prizes from

his secret silver box



He’d reveal

George Washingtons

from his cash keeper

and reward to

young bulging eyes,



A vivid summer setting

outside his river home

plays repeatedly;

brief one on one

just Grandma and me.



Memories irremovable

on each grandchild's lane

His voice so clear

saying our names

All a keepsake.

Tears In Their Ears

We exchange sighs of relief
as the distant crying fades
not sure how to live life
due to such a big change.

We learn to savor
longed for silence;
only an hour from now
they'll break
and call with all their
lungs for us

Hush babies we've rescued you.
hold you tight
against my shoulder
kiss the rained on cheeks from
tears streaming into
their ears.

Opening Night

Yes, I'd like to make
a reservation
for the showing
of my childhood.
Preferably the
Christmas episodes
where the
traditions started.
My brother will
be joining me,
he and I grew
close as we grew.
There will be
no cancellations.

Moms Mom

Moms mom
gracefully retied
the ribbon on the
toddlers gown.
With a childrens book
in front, she'd go on
to read and point
giving her time
that would make her
feel like she was the
only child on earth;
she always gave time to play.

Dangling Earrings

On occasion of our lives with the triplets
February 12, 2010

Dangling earrings;
our reason for sanity.
Glamor among
binkies and rattles;
amusement hanging
from our lobes.

Grandma's Paint

October 17, 2009

The sun gives
ideal source
for drying acrylic;
perfect for her pages
on which she pastes
thoughts and pleasures.

Light breeze ripples
on hardening liquid.
Cool eases heat
that hits her forhead
but even then
strokes of stained fingers
on crinkled paper
ignore unsettledness.

Birds afar conquer
allowing new ideas
to enter book;
cars hum, them also
implanting a new head title.

All now that is heard
are dogs, birds, faint bugs
and grandma's brushing,
paper crackling.
The king of creative
could not even compete.

She closes book;
cracking of new and
past entries.
Thicker than a brick,
she'll return on inspired ideas.