Grandmas Rocking Chair

GRANDMA’S ROCKING CHAIR Pt 1 Grandma sits in her rocking chair, Wisps of silver in her hair. She sits me on her voluptuous lap, As tales of yore she does recap. Id touch the whiskers on her chin, “You’re growing a beard” I’d think with a grin Her lavender scent wafted through the air As Grandma sat in her rocking chair A lacy handkerchief on her chest As the babies fought for the teats on her breast The milk dried up, there was nothing to eat Grandma would take in washing to make ends meet. Granddad had gone away to the war Then a telegraph man came to the door. He would not be coming home again No more thrill of meeting him off the train. Grandma knew she had to go on For the sake of the kids she had to be strong She would knit and sew, wash and clean. Polish the shoes with spit to make them gleam. The kids carried a pie to the bake house one day. What no cooker you ask? Oh dear no way. On the way home they dropped the pie Will we get a good hiding they’d cry? Yes times was ard, and they were poor No money coming through the door. Bu Grandma said that she was rich How come I thought as she gave me a kiss? CONTINUED 21st June 2008 Grandma rich, how could this be? I thought as she rocked me gently on her knee The children’s mouths got harder to feed Clothes and shoes were their main need. As the moon and the stars shone outside so bright. Grandma would sing to the children every night. For dinner was a Yorkshire pudding so round It would fill them up without a sound. Meat was a luxury, twice a year No sweets no treats no toys no beer But love and care given beyond recall Were the greatest treasure of them all So as Grandma rocked in her rocking chair She taught me a lesson beyond compare. I learned about, compassion, care and love The RICHEST thing from heaven above. I hear the creak of the rocking chair. I look but Grandma is no longer there. The smell of lavender wafts through the air As I sit in Grandma’s rocking chair