Grandfather Poems

(The Switch)

Billy was in trouble again. It was four days in a row now. He didn’t mean to be bad. At his little country school, it just seemed so easy to get into mischief. On day one he got caught...Read More

Goodbye

I waved as you left the drive. 
I heard your sweet voice… 
ever cheerful.

Hours passed. 
I did the dishes. 
I cleaned up. 
I got ready for bed. 
I received the call. 

I sat down. 
I wanted to die. 

I…
...Read More

Her grandfather gave her a heart locket.
When opened it revealed a little pocket
that held a picture of him and her
and she had vowed to wear it forever.

Held true to her word for sixty-five year,
as she took it off, her eyes...Read More

Pumpkin Pie

Warm fresh, aromatic…
nutmeg, cinnamon, clove(s)…ssss…. 

Butter crust, 
hand mixed, 
hand rolled,
by a 100 year old pin. 
Loved on,
by the cook. 

Flakes of heaven, 
peeled away from 
the perfection found 
only at Grandma’s house.

Grandpa smiles, 
and we all laugh. 
Tradition!...Read More

A sense of holidays! 

Blueberry pie hot out of the oven with buttery toppings 
popcorn popping in the pot with oil on the stove 
Lemon and lime are the sour balls used for drinks or garnish 
Take that hot pan...Read More

Thinking of her day and night,
wrinkled, withering, hair turning white.

Wish I had time to write her a letter,
naw, she's alright, she always gets better.

I finally wrote her, too late,
she had passed away....Read More

on the Irish
side of my
family my
grandfather
who never i
was to meet

was a but
cher of 
meats
so in
many
and in

countless
numbers
there were
chickens
that went 
under

his blade
and as the
ancients
say trust
that all
must 

pay not the 
boatman
but have
change
for the
turn

stile for
while no
money is
needed to
reach
nirvana

you have to
to come back
to this world
and...Read More

I must tell you of a yarn 
About the Prince’s barn 
It sits on a hill 
Overlooking an area where there was so much kill 

Today it is a place where one goes to find peace 
And think about their...Read More

Torn and Worn With Time



 The forgotten photograph 

Legs crossed, wrinkled forehead,leering out the window

Coarse, gray beard , mustache and bushy eyebrows 

Great grandpa , torn and worn with time




Legs crossed, wrinkled forehead,leering out the window

Seated on a wooden chair...Read More

Last year’s nest was cozy and warm with quilts and Grandma’s smile.
Grandma is gone now. Grandpa’s spirit has left.  His soul has disappeared.
His new woman put  grandma’s quilts away, and changed the house.
A soulless creature who wants us...Read More

GRANDPA’S NEW GARDEN

My grandpa had a garden and loved to watch things grow;
He kept it rich and fertile, and everyone I know
Would comment on his garden, the vegetables and flowers,
And how in it he labored for many joyful hours.
And when...Read More

Kiji Manito, winter is coming on and the days have grown shorter
Let me not complain
Let me see the beauty of winter and longer nights
I have a roof over my head, heat to warm my body, and food to nourish me...Read More

Gracious old stone homes, lofty rooms full of nooks and crannies
Snoe-white linen and antimacassars embroidered by our grannies
Cool wide verandahs, wrought-iron lacework draped with wisteria
Old fashioned cooking smells wafting from the kitchen, the hub of the interior

A grandfather clock ticking...Read More

look honey
time is money, 
you should've learned that from
that nutty father of yours.
if their is a will their:Their's a way.
"as aggressive as he is,
is as aggressive as we're gonna be."
"I can afford you honey, all I gotta do
is get change...Read More

Everyday is a new day
Except Thursday the symptom always replay
Madness, mental instability, psychological disorder.
Call it what you may
It’s the same thing every Thursday

Her frienenemies taunted and teased her all day long
But on Thursday, they singing a different song.
A new girl...Read More

Lawn Mower Facts

Briggs and Stratton is number one, 
Grandpa use to say…
They will last until the cows come home.
Then he dreamed a bit…

The Deere, Oh John, he plows forever, 
If you can afford one, that is. 

Fixing things that did...Read More

The Gun

On the wall above the fire place, 
Grandpa’s rifle still sits. 
I take it down now and then to clean, 
but put it back every time. 
That is where it belongs. 

Grandpa shot deer and elk, 
He even shot...Read More

The Making of Cookies

The lost art of putting, 
flower, sugar, vanilla,
and cream together.
More than small cakes, 
a distance…
far past “home made”, 
to the sheer land of magic.

Recipes handed down, 
from grandmother, 
(and grandfather)
to mother, 
(and father)
to daughter,
and son, 
and again....Read More

Horny Toads

Grandpa knew everything, 
that was needed to be known, 
always. 

I stayed every summer, 
from the time before I remember, 
until the time I pray,
never to forget. 

We worked in the garden.
We dug holes, and planted seeds. 
Everything was...Read More

Handy dandy blues clues plain
all purpose favorite refrain
i.e. "impossible mission"
courtesy complimentary doppelganger
G.I. ("Government Issue", "General Issue",

or "Ground Infantry") Jane
in tandem with Alyson Chain
comes to the rescue attempting
to describe entrenched nonproductive
crippling psychological mindset ascertain

most any reader would consider insane
embedded deep within...Read More

Go Football!

Hope is undefeated.
Faith is the cheering section
Joy is playing together.
God is everything.
Jesus is Savior, also Our Quarterback.
The Mighty Holy Spirit with us even now. 
We are never alone. 
...Read More

Every house in the neighborhood had one, 
small, large, plain, ornate. Ours, enclosed 
by railings, ran across the front of the old house, 
with two creaky rockers facing the street.
 
When company came, extra chairs were set out, 
along with...Read More

Grandpa

Father of the age, know'er of everything, 
I need to know before the age of six… 
Including all about God. (and teaching me to pray)

Thank you, hug you, love you!

Knight in shinning armor, a hero that never failed, 
even a...Read More

My Guy

Yes, my guy.
Like the song in my heart, that repeats, 
when I listen ever so closely to things that matter.

Puts me first, when I feel last, every where else. 
Lifts me up, when I have been walked upon, trodden...Read More

Frozen stiff like a cement gargoyle
Unthawed and unreceptive
The stoic man turned a cold heart toward the throng
Determined to hold onto his bitter outlook
Closing his heart off
Pretending to be inhumane
A grimace on his face
A cherub wearing a pink snowsuit
Was not fooled...Read More