Beyond the Bones
I've never visited my grandparents' grave
not since their burials
many moons ago
when I was young
and didn't understand why people die
I was apprehensive about it
would they be mad at me for not showing up
all these years?
would they be sad I have stayed away so long?
would they even know me?
I took my granddaughter along
a conversation breaker
they've never seen her before
it would be a treat for them to meet her
I push Alyssa in her buggy
she won't keep her hat on
nor her mittens
nor her boots
Fernhill Cemetery
brown maple and oak leaves
chasing each other around the stones
soon snow will cover this cold hill
but for now poppies and flags still decorate
after recent days of remembrance
there's a chill in the air
wind whipping off the Bay of Fundy
nothing warm about this place
except squirrels playing tag
Bartlett, Frank & Jenny E.
he was a woodsman
she, a wonderful cook
I can still picture them at the kitchen table
playing Crazy 8's
him, coming down hard with his fist,
"Take that then!"
her, daintily placing cards down
on her way to a satisfied smile of victory
him, building a log cabin from scratch
near Cappal Lake
her, kneading dough
nails scratching an old tin basin
my grandfather died first
so they were separated for a time
now together again
sealed in
still exclusive to each other
winter will soon cover them
with a blanket of snow
I don't feel sad
and no need for guilt after all
my apprehension dismantled
for I'm aware they aren't here
I see beyond the bones
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