Best Granddaughter Poems
Oh little one, how soon you'll be
In turbulence of puberty.
I will hold tight your days of youth
And share with you my honest truth
That innocence ingrained at birth,
Precious childhood days filled with mirth,
Will be so fleeting... you will see
The need for God's tranquility.
How grandma's age is redefined
When your teen years become aligned
With thoughts of struggles, I go through,
The many shades in every hue,
That colors life for me today.
In these sweet days, I watch you play
As I instill the grains of hope,
An inner strength to help you cope
With all the changes life will bring.
The ups and downs from early spring
Throughout your life in winter years
When you, like me, through joys and tears
Have lived a life you feel has worth;
Have given back to better earth.
When you have children of your own
And you too, see how they have grown,
My hope is that you let them know
That through their life where e'er they go
They carry with them bits of me,
Please share with them, tranquility.
The teenage years and the golden years are
the most difficult to endure. Both are fraught
with emotions...of facing life...of facing death.
May 9, 2017
~Poem of the Day May 11, 2017~
I look and ponder, watch you grow in haste
Explore with wonder, new experience taste
No fear encountered as you learn the ropes
Your sails adjusting, full with winds of hope.
But there are moments when the seeds of doubt
Without much warning spread and start to sprout
Then you need guidance, words which shed some light
Advice and promptings which once more excite.
I weigh my options when the waves rise high,
Stay in the background, tactful, on standby,
Not interfering, yet with cautious eye
Give needed help should threats intensify.
I am a lighthouse built on sound terrain
In times of darkness, you won’t call in vain.
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This poem has been published in a PoetrySoup Anthology:
“Radiant Verses” Nov 2024 (print)
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Placed 1st in Contest 540 Hosted by Brian Strand in Jan 2019.
Lighthouse Poetry Contest Sponsored by Eve Roper Placed joint first POTD on 24th Dec 2018 © 22nd December 2018.
Note: This is a poem dear to me, as the title would suggest, so receiving a POTD award undoubtedly brought added satisfaction.
*GRANDMA WAITS IN THE GARDEN*
Hi grandpa, it's me again!
Your dentures sit in an open glass above the nightstand
Remember the tears grandma sang before she pass?
The way she looked into your eyes,
Moments before she said goodbye
Grandpa, I found a note from grandma,
She will always wait for you.
Hi grandpa, it’s me again!
The rocking chair is old and dusty
Remember the way grandma sat me on her lap?
Read many stories before I took a nap
How she enjoyed stroking my hair with her hands
I miss the way she rocked me to sleep every night
Hello, grandpa!
I stored your hearing aid away
Remember that special musical box in grandma's drawer?
I opened it last night, to watch the ballerina soar
I wish you could hear the tiny chimes grandma loved
I hope you don’t mind, I’m keeping grandma's favorite scarf
Hello, Grandpa!
I'm caressing grandma’s picture frame
Remember the way she looked in the yellow pretty sundress?
Grandpa, I miss the things grandmother did for you
Like the walking cane she handcrafted before she left
Hello, grandpa, it's me again!
My tears have soften now,
knowing you will soon see her again
Take your place with her in the sky
Please, say hi and give her a kiss
Tell her I miss her so much
I love you grandpa
~*~
"Amid the jagged shadows of mossy leafless boughs; "
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Amid the Jagged Shadows
The restless wind swept all your leaves away,
gay colors I enjoyed every day.
My heart feels like you, my favorite tree,
in a colorless world I've lost my glee.
My heart is aching as holidays near,
I miss you so much and wish you were here.
Often nights, I barely sleep before dawn.
I'm trying to cope with you being gone.
My sweet granddaughter, with tears in my eyes,
I welcome again a lonely sunrise.
You remain in the shadows of my heart.
With my deepest love, to you I impart.
11-24-19
Poem of the Day November 26, 2019
~First Place~
Writing Challenge 3, November - Any Form
Sponsor, Dear Heart - Wisshkobi Ode
"I remember the years you spent under my wing,
As I recall all the joy, it makes my heart sing"
*Note: My Granddaughter is not dead, but her family moved a flight away.
Some say you're not quite whole,
But I know better, Angel Child.
You live in a place all your own,
Free, unhinged, sometimes wild.
In precious moments you let me in
And I am stunned by what I see.
Purple trees and butterfly bees
And things I thought couldn't be.
You tell me of other wonders
In a voice so sweet I nearly weep—
Of Daisy Lou, a lizard that's blue,
And of mice that sing you to sleep.
Then abruptly your voice changes
And your look seems far away.
I have become a stranger to you;
You have said all you want to say.
I understand the pattern too well;
You have gone where I can't go.
You dwell there often, Angel Child,
It's where you're wholly whole.
I know what it feels like to be adored beyond compare.
To be loved unconditionally just for being myself.
To have that special one want to be just like me.
I am told how wonderful I am each day,
How beautiful and loving, as I am smothered with hugs
And kisses and artwork from my little master artist.
She treasures every compliment I give her and dances
To entertain me by the songs from my music box.
A grande jeté here, a pirouette there, thrills me with delight.
I love you hearts hang on my walls along with pictures
Drawn especially for me in bright colors she knows I love.
I hear my words come from her sweet little mouth...
"Oh for Pete's sake" or "For crying in the bucket" and I laugh
More at myself than from her trying to emulate my silly self.
Her endless devotion touches my heart so deeply that I
Bless her and pray for her safety day and night, and give thanks
To the Lord for blessing me with the precious gift of her birth.
This little 37 pound, long chestnut haired beauty is mine to adore
As she adores me, and tells me she is so happy I am her Grammy.
I am rich beyond belief, and blessed by all that is holy to have her love.
2-26-18
'More To Me' Contest Info ~N/A~
Sponsor William Kekaula
*Dedicated to the love of my life, my granddaughter Carissa, who will
celebrate her 6th birthday March 2, 2018.
I held an angel in my arms today,
A precious babe snuggled against my breast.
And my heart was overwhelmed with so much love,
As she lay contentedly at rest.
I watched her as she slept so soundly,
Gazed at her cherub face in sweet repose.
I marveled at her tiny features,
Like her dainty shell-like ears and button nose.
I brushed my lips against her downy head,
Her skin like velvet to my touch.
I gave thanks to God above for His priceless blessing
Of this little angel girl I love so much.
The birth of my first grandchild has awakened,
A joy that my soul cannot contain.
From day one my heart's been captured by her,
Firmly caught and held by love's strong chain.
8/9/13
Entered in Shadow Hamilton's "Your Favorite Old Poem" contest
Like the sun lights up the sky,
A little girl when she was born,
She snuggled right into our hearts
With heaven's sparkle in
Her eyes stole her papa's heart.
He became her nanny and cradled
Her to sleep, there was no bed
Comfortable enough,
but only in his loving arms
Until it was time for him to leave.
He was "mama" until she was two.
He would try to correct her;
"No, Papa."
She'd say, Mama with a smile.
He nourished her little mind with
Nursery rhymes and songs.
He taught her Math, English, and Spelling.
Taught her to ride her first tricycle,
To hold a baseball bat
And keep her eyes on the ball.
To kick and pass a soccer ball back and forth,
He cheered the loudest when she outran the boys.
Love between both of them unconditional.
She's now thirteen, with a smile that beams like sunshine
And eyes like stardust glistening, our greatest joys;
A garden scent where mums and sunflowers flow.
Having outgrew grandpa, it was grandmas turn;
Grandpa encouraged.
Her extra sunshine, giggles, laughter, and happiness
That come from deep inside when we shop
For party dresses, make-up, and
Once in a while a bookstore.
A photo-shoot on a footbridge or garden,
Lunches at Olive Garden or Gringo's for Mexican food,
And ice cold-fruity slushy drinks before going home.
She would text and still does to say,
You and grandpa or the best grandparents ever.
This little girl that that lights up the sky rules our hearts.
11/11/2019
The nursing home called me early in the morning to come
as snow clouds sailed across the sky
and my heart swelled with a sea of tears
to see you lay still like a statue
my beloved grandma turned to stone
and I, a puddle of weeping and lost in my grief
grandma, I am not being strong and wondering
would you still love me ?
. . . or tell me to stand up straight
I loved you so much and your sweet serenity
all those beautiful scars of your life
your delight in a cup of tea
and a good cookie
your gift of storytelling that you passed to me
I want to share everything at your funeral, but wonder if I do
would you still love me ?
. . . if I shared our private conversations
that we whispered in hushed voices since my childhood
and how when I was hurting you were my shelter
you were my placid lake where I felt safe
my tranquility- the reason my words flow like a rippling stream
well, I spoke in the church of you and me
my words stilled the crowd to tears, but I still wondered
would you still love me ?
. . . love me for sharing our relationship
our great respect, bond and deep love
I was quiet as they lowered your coffin into the ground
the cemetery was full of bird twitters
but seemed soundless and peaceful
I will not say goodbye grandma for one day
my time will cease and when that day comes, I wonder
would you still love me ?
___________________________
December 5, 2018
Poetry/Free Verse/Would You Still Love Me - Grandma
Copyright Protected, ID 18-1092-174-01
All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym.
Submitted to the contest, Would You Still Love Me ?
sponsor, Edward Ibeh
Second Place
My sweet girl,
you are my butterfly
that flutters with grace,
under the golden sunshine;
as zephyr breath blows
you from one petal to the next,
slowly through pinnate leaves.
You are my sunshine that blooms my life.
Love you my special girl
3/30/2022
Angels Sing
I hear them,
all the time.
When I pick up my child,
and hold her close,
her breath…
Harps; lovely,
faraway,
and distant.
When I go to my grandmothers,
and clean her kitchen,
all afternoon,
while she teaches me,
how to make,
cornbread and beans…
the right way.
Violins and soft flutes,
as she smoked for 60 years.
She is dying,
My heart is crying,
but the woodwinds are respectful…
of her years, if not my tears.
When I go to my loves grave,
and stand beside the small flag,
I can hear the band,
playing Rock Songs,
favorite one time hits,
and the Star Spangled Banner!
The vocals, on high,
Every word a blessing
to the family,
you left behind.
The freedom to listen,
The freedom to sing,
to laugh and pray,
about everything!
Precious Preemie (Alouette)
Precious little lass
Time will come to pass
When your preemie days have gone.
As spring flowers bloom
You'll be blooming soon
As you grow with every dawn.
Mommy loves you so
Daddy too I know
That you'll grow up sweet and strong.
Two pounds and a half...
When we hear you laugh
It sounds like a joyous song.
You were meant to be
In this family
By Divine love we were blessed.
Hearts are full of cheer
Now that you are here,
Darling angel get some rest.
It is very clear
Grammy lingers near
Just to hold you in her arms.
You are growing fast
And soon at long last
She will know your loving charms.
4-5-20
The Alouette, created by Jan Turner, consists of two or more stanzas of 6 lines each, with the following set rules:
Meter: 5, 5, 7, 5, 5, 7
Rhyme Scheme: a, a, b, c, c, b
The form name is a French word meaning 'skylark' or larks that fly high, the association to the lark's song being appropriate for the musical quality of this form. The word 'alouette' can also mean a children's song (usually sung in a group), and although this poetry form is not necessarily for children's poetry (but can be applied that way), it is reminiscent of that style of short lines. Preference for the meter accent is on the third syllable of each line.
Just me and my granddaughters, two sweet cute tweens
eating up pizza. It’s “No-night” for greens!
I tell them old stories about family.
Their own funny stories they tell back to me.
They’ve brought a nail file. One files my nails
while I tell more stories with juicy details!
We play on the internet for a short while
then chat about things like our favorite hair style.
It’s now after ten, but tonight is for fun.
No going to bed till well after one!
We pick out a series on Netflix to watch.
At last we discover one that is top-notch.
I with my popcorn and they with ice-cream -
we’re living it up while living the dream!
Oct. 12, 2019 for the contest of Line Gauthier: Living the Dream
Hope Anew
I try to keep the gloom at bay
While waiting for your precious birth.
Your beating heart in womb today
Spoke to my ears a wondrous mirth.
The winter wind is cold and brisk.
I’m keeping positive to quell
Fears you and mommy are at risk
In hospital where you must dwell.
Your mommy calls me ev’ry day.
To hear her voice gives me such cheer,
I’ve asked all angels in to pray
To keep both of you safe and near.
You are across the sea from me
Yet close in thought within my mind.
I will keep faith, and hope to see
That all my fears are soon behind.
I wait to welcome you in pink;
A blanket crocheted just for you.
Wish this humble poem I ink
Will give your mommy hope anew.
1-27-20
More
More than the dust underfoot,
which in the beginning
was sculpted into humanity…
More than rivers running
from mountains to quench
thirst and calm the spirit…
More than reading the classic
stories that fill libraries…
I await life’s gift of hearing
your voice sing to my heart
of your passing days.
**This poem is written for our grand-daugher Scarlet now re-united with us after being kept from any contact for a decade. She turns 16 this month.