Gram's Sunday Dinner

Sitting in church on a warm Sunday morn
we were thinking of food as the service drug on
Instead of the sermon, we could hear tummies rumble
in spite of my Grandpa, who grumbled and yawned

Pews hard, and uncomfortable, and fannies would squirm
waiting to hear the preacher's last word
A prayer and a song, and the very last one
at last it was time we could finally walk home
.....
Once out in the sunlight, and on to the house
In a state of starvation, and patience long gone
Our lips in a quiver our salvation would be
to sit at a table filled with Grandma's reprieve!

Gram had been up quite early, since the first crack of dawn, 
Mashing potatoes, and a bird, golden brown, 
With gravy and dumplings, and tomatoes still warm
straight from her garden, with vinegar, poured
and pies from her baking during yesterday's chores

She would pray to the Lord, reverently asking for peace
Also "Please, Oh My Lord, when they flock here like geese
Hungry and squawking , and honking to eat
may they be always grateful for blessings we keep
and praise all my cooking as they take leave"

Smiles, and full bellies...It's what Sunday was for
Grandpa held hands, bowed his head, then to pray
and was always quite grateful for his blessings that day

But he also would add, to the blessings that day
"Oh Lord", help that preacher have a bit less to say!"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Roper Avatar
July 1, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Carrie, congratulations on your win on this great piece of Gram's Sunday Dinner ! Hugs Eve
Haight Avatar
June 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Yes, our Grandma's dinners after church...brought back memories, Carrie. Congratulations on your win for this lovely poem. Hugs, Sandra
U.D Palawon  Avatar
June 30, 2016 at 1:35 PM
Congrats on your placement...this is so true..nothing is important when the belly is grumbling. God understands better...:)
Kimathi Avatar
June 30, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Hi Carrie. Congrats for your placement with this interesting piece!! ;-)
Turner Avatar
June 30, 2016 at 6:43 AM
I was raised the exact same way Carrie. Except it was my mom who did the cooking. My grandmas did too but after a while they starting coming to our house. Thank you for the memories. We also had pot roast with potatoes and carrots with brown gravy and hot rolls.
P. Avatar
March 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM
oh... isn't she lovely... my granny ... her cooking ... i don't want to say bad... but my father himself hates it... so i don't think i need to like it or appreciate her... but i would want to ... if she cooked like this!! your writing is delightful!! ~ Arany
Strand Avatar
March 16, 2009 at 1:00 AM
My gran has a similar impact upon me Carrie.My poem about her 'Bread Pudding' was my tribute to her.There was something about that generation of ladies .. showerering 'womens love' rather than 'womens lib'.Rgds Brian & thanks for your welcome comments
Reynolds Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Sounds like my kind of dinner. :) I'm sorry I missed it. I know I sure miss my own Gran's dinners. now, I guess it's up to me to recreate that magic. love, Kristin
Goff Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 2:48 PM
even though the pews are hard, he still goes to worship every Sun. knowing the warmth that awaits, it's worth it! even necessary! beautiful write! (speaks to me personally, Carrie, we too do this, more on holidays!)
Devonshire Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 10:54 AM
You brought back wonderful memories in this great poem, Carrie. Thank you for recalling gentler days. Love, Carolyn
Wilson Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Hi Carrie I'm on the next plane, tell Gram to save me a place. What's for after's cheesecake?. Loved this one. God bless. Leon
Higgins Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Sounds like a very cool tradition that she hopes will continue long after her.. wonderful done.. love the desciption of those Sunday service and the pews.. lived through some of them. Good work Carrie.
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