draconian dad
stubbornly immovable
until grandbaby
grandbaby request
cant be denied by papa
amazed baby dad
In the mind of a poet on days when his muse is uninspiring
In the smile of great-grandma as her wrinkled hands hold her great-grandbaby
In the thoughts of a philosopher when he ponders on the intricacies of life
In the eyes of a farmer when his soil yields good crops after days of toil
In the silent prayer of a devotee as he stands before his Lord with eyes closed
In the sweet cuddle of a pet when he sees his master after a long time
In the tears of a mom when she meets her son after several years
In the void, hitherto unfilled, in the hearts of distant soulmates
In every single bud of thought that blooms in a mute’s mind in his lifetime
Larry cut off his tractor to give Donna his full attention.
She had never wanted to be in the cab with him before.
He concentrated on the feel of her warm body next to his.
It was not enough, he would never get enough.
Let’s have an early lunch, he said, giving her a slow kiss.
Her eyes popped open, and she grinned at her new husband.
Right now?
No better time, he said, taking her hand.
As they raced through the field his father grinned at them.
They are headed back to the house he reported to his wife on his cell.
Grandbaby soon she guessed?
I don’t see why not, the future grandpa replied.
Leroy jumped on his cycle when he heard the phone
Grandma was calling; she wanted her grandbaby home.
His mother tried to keep up as he ran that day.
Leroy was headed for his grandma’s, straight away.
He jumped on his cycle and made a loud engine sound.
His grandma was waiting in the field with cookies around.
She gave him hugs and kisses, and would not let go.
“Oh, grandma my sweetheart,” He said “I have missed you so!”
wind wisps dark locks
from her brow
green eyes gaze
across
saguaro spiked slopes
over
sticks and stucco
where once was a river
and corn grew tall
her mama's native blood
her dad's rugged heart
she belongs to this land
pushed her baby
up this mountain
where two centuries ago
sentinels kept guard
now come here to see
sticks and stucco grow
and watch her generation
manage water
(Meade was full last
the year she was born)
see her nurse her dream
graduation
career launch
marriage
money
pay too much for
sticks and stucco
raise above average kids
walk them all
up this mountain
on Thanksgiving
while today
her baby's stroller
chases grandpa
down the hill
so full of giggles
tomorrow grandbaby
stands on this peak
on the brink of her
sticks and stucco
and I pray
grandpa’s here
too
'Round table we sat that fine day
With turkey all carved on a tray.
She grabbed that drumstick
She wanted to lick!
Our nine-month grandbaby- HOORAY!
November 19, 2022
~3rd Place~
Contest: A Fun Holiday Limerick
Sponsor: Tania Kitchin
Judged: 11/24/2022
(True Memory- Photo Above!)
They talked about their great grandbaby as if she was a movie star.
I was sick of smiling at her pictures, and I could not walk very far.
They would chase me down the sidewalk to see her latest video.
They are ninety plus, but you should see these old bats go!
I cannot see without my readers, and I do not wear them outside.
These two sisters were screaming at me today, I had nowhere to hide.
They brought out their cell phone and chased me to my shed.
I said I had not heard them and could hear laughter from old Ned.
He lives three doors away, so you know these biddies are loud.
All they have is this little one; and you can see they are mighty proud.
I got my reading glasses out and took a quick look at the queen.
She might be the prettiest baby anyone in this world has ever seen!
Hello!
Yes, I got your number from my sister.
She got it from the bulletin board at the “Stop, Shop and Save-a-lot”
I’m calling about the ad for “cleaning lady needed”
I have a couple of questions.
How many bathrooms are in the home?
I have a problem holding water. I don’t mean like, in a bucket!
I mean holding my water. When I have to go, I need a bathroom close by.
But, don’t worry, if I make wet, I’ll clean it up good, and you’d never know it.
On my last job, there were three facilities and that worked out great, except for the time
the grandbaby stuffed a tomato in the upstairs toilet and the water overflowed.
It leaked all the way down to the first floor; I felt it dripping on my head.
Boy, I cleaned that up fast, didn’t want them to blame it on me!
What’s that you say?
You didn’t post an ad to the board?
Well, could you put me through the family who did?
And hurry - I gotta go!
Thank you
Dedicated to my favorite cleaning lady, Evelyn!!!
I Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen am a grandma.
Going crazy with worry about my grandbaby.
He keeps getting a rash so, to the doctor we dash.
Many times—
One day he looks better, maybe.
The next it is worse add fever to the curse.
What to do? What to do?
It’s 12:30 a.m. and I’m about to leave.
Going to the ER hoping for some relief.
His fever has stayed down for a day or so.
Now, it is way, way too low. I’m frantic.
All the while he either cries or smiles.
Confused…yes, that’s me.
A grandma confused by the weird rash,
Shall now off to the hospital dash.
Worried almost sick, myself,
Two older grandsons will be left behind.
Hubby will hold down the fort so to say.
School is tomorrow… Oops there’s more.
A doctor appointment tomorrow,
For his brother -
we’ll be going to a nearby town.
Time to say bye. Time to go.
He’s smiling, but I’m worried –
…Like grandmas do.
Who am I really?
Besides poet, artist, and gardener,
You'll find one spirited woman who
Jumps into family drama to help.
That’s me, Memaw Dane.
October 30, 2014
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
In a corner of the town, stands a building of antiques.
Not an ordinary building but one that percepts the imagination;
sense datum begins and a scene takes place.
I am transpose to my great grandmother days.
I see the rocking chair that she owed
and the Raggedy Ann Doll given to me by her.
She is telling the store’s owner about his antiques
that this rocking chair was her favorite piece.
Oh, and she would like this doll for her grandbaby.
She said she wanted several rooms of furniture.
All must be vintage like her.
However, do not think of her as old.
She was short and plump with olive skin.
Her hair radiance gleamed.
Her smile meant everything.
She almost forgot my small gift that is when she shouted Lagniappe.
_______________________________________/
Sponsor: Black Eyed Susan
Contest Name: Antiques
You are not yet born but I love you so,
excited for your arrival in ech day that you grow.
I look forward to meeting you for the very first time,
happy to have you sweet grandbaby of mine.
Ten little fingers and ten little toes,
with a sweet little face and a little button nose.
I imagine holding you and rocking you while you sleep,
while angels protect you safely they will keep.
You are a gift to our family sent from above,
assured you will be so greatly loved.
I can't wait to hold your tiny hand in mine,
the greatest gift of all a love so divine.
I imagine your smile so sweet as you sleep,
sleeping so soundly not even a peep.
You make me so proud I could walk on air,
winning a million dollars could not even compare.
The day of you arrival will be a time to rejoice,
looking forward to the sounds of your sweet little voice.
I look forward to meeting you handsome baby boy,
so me and papaw can give you your very first toy.
Mamma wore an ample apron
To cover her clean dress.
She’d tell you that’s what it was for
If you’d asked her, I would guess.
But that apron had more uses
Than I could even count.
It brought in eggs and vegetables
And could hold a large amount.
Her apron could bring giggles
In a game of peek-a-boo
With her newest, sweet grandbaby
As she hid her face from view.
That apron dusted tables
And shooed away the flies
And did just fine as oven mitts
To take out bubbling pies.
But the greatest of the treasures
That old apron could hold
Was the endless love from Mamma
Abiding in each fold.
Won a no. 1 in John's contest.
Happy
A friend asked the other day,
Are you happy in everyway.
I stood there and thought for a while,
And all I could do was give her a smile.
Then I told her with my head held high,
that my years have quickly flown by.
My children have been my greatest joy,
My love for them no one can destroy.
In my hands I hold their hearts,
In my soul are all their other parts.
Now my first grandbaby has arrived,
And it gives me joy be alive.
This little name that is new to my ears,
Will never leave me the rest of my years.
Am I happy in every way,
God can tell you everyday.
Mother wore an ample apron
to cover her clean dress.
She'd tell you that's what it was for
if you asked her, I would guess.
But that apron had more uses
than I could even count.
It brought in eggs and vegetables
and could hold a large amount.
I've seen her use that apron
to wipe her dripping brow
as she labored over the big range
that's just an antique now.
Her apron could bring giggles
in a game of peek-a-boo
with her newest, sweet grandbaby
as she hid her face from view.
When we kids were hurt or crying
we'd run to find her lap.
She'd wipe the falling tears away
with a bit of apron flap.
That apron dusted tables
and shooed away the flies.
It did just fine as oven mitts
to take out bubbling pies.
But the greatest of the treasures
that old apron could hold,
was the endless love from Mother
abiding in each fold.
Cold marble stone erected in rows
That and my memories is all I have left of your prescence.
Memory recalls the good times and funny man you could be.
Violent temper you knew to walk it off.
(Sung)I L-O-V-E somebody. My grandbaby of all the grandbabies,
Tootsie girl!
For Ninow! See you on the other side!
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