I stare piteously at my grandkid-
kid jumping with aggressive joy
at each completed level of
a mindless game displayed
on the computer screen,
played by hitting a key
repeatedly, with hands trembling
will-less I crane my neck
to look upwards through rows of
buildings, all I see is
A handful of stars in a hazy,
un-naturally
lit-up bright night sky
less cared by many bumbling lives
Each innocent night, every
night as a child, I used to
sit by my father who
made up stories divine on
group of stars
a line, a mat, a dog so like
animated with my awesome nods
I used to hear his voice
till I drooped like a feather
sound asleep, sleep
so pure, so restful
even angels smiled
and twirled then
in my dreams with colorful streams
That serene childhood
filled with fun, with love
rich with truth, with honesty
that angel sleep,that angel dream
can never be passed on
can never be re-lived
through our children, ever again
Categories:
grandkid, childhood, children, father,
Form: Free verse
I asked my grandson,
…what is my favorite thing to do,” after
he asked the round table.
“To play with me, of course.”
“Of course, I love playing with you…”
“and?”
and “praising God” - oh how much better
he knows me, than I know myself.
I chuckle.
“and?”
I prompt, “and writing poetry.”
“Oh yeah,” he says.
I guess
I don’t know me at all.
Only after I asked my grandson,
did I realize there is a better priority.
Still, I think
my husband must wonder
where he fits in.
…somewhere in between,
woven in, with those brown eyes
and kissable lips,
often up on top,
sometimes he slips
between the sheets;
still a grandkid comes to visit
and he says “hello,”
slips downstairs,
and waits until the door opens
to say, “goodbye,”
then heads upstairs
and winks,
and I think,
‘no rest for me.’
Categories:
grandkid, introspection,
Form: Free verse
I've got a lot for us to discuss,
Now that life is steadily on course.
We could have shared ideas and opinions
But Allah had exercised His majestic dominions;
Like shingles falling upon the roof,
Of'times that sounds like the horse's hoof,
My heart beats to talk to you Atanda,
For you're my sage- My own warrior of wakanda;
Listen sir, we could've talked about life's bitterness
And taken cues from you on how to fight its wickedness.
You should've sojourned longer darling father,
But I see you each time I see your grandkid- Papa;
You'll always remain priceless and irreplaceable,
Baami who puts food on everyone's table;
If you could look back, I know you would smile,
Your boy's doing good in a land away thousand miles.
Still be missing you and even though your sun had set,
You're still a gem I'll never forget.
Love you Dad!
#GaliDaPoet!
Categories:
grandkid, africa, father son, loss,
Form: Ballad
My dear ChatGTP
My dear ChatGTP
Welcome to our world
All the glory, All the fame
You may run faster than the fastest
But can you lose a winning battle for your beloved.
Can you shed tears of joy, seeing your child get a kindergarten prize.
Can you feel your heart sink in sorrow, to see your love depart from your life.
Can you feel the presence of your love, even when she is not present.
Can you feel like a million dollars, embracing your grandkid.
Can you be a son, to see God in your mother’s face.
Can you be a mother, who sleeps hungry, so her child can eat.
Will your heart ?? sing out a melody, seeing a romantic moonlight.
Can you give all that you have, for one smile of your dream.
Can you stand in front of a Tsunami of hate, and only wish good.
Can you wait for a lifetime, for her to lift her veil.
Can you have faith, to turn an idol to God.
Can you be so immersed in love, to see God in all that you come across.
- Dr Fazal Faroqui
Categories:
grandkid, angel,
Form: Free verse
We thought the morning would be calm ~
Till daughter deployed the grandkid bomb.
The youngest makes a Wookiee noise,
And other sounds enjoyed by boys.
Greta's playing the matching game;
The floor: uncluttered before she came.
The oldest bikes through the garage;
Both it and he will soon need triage.
One's running, screaming, wants her "wadi",
And spending time on the potty.
But, midst the chaos and the mess,
I must admit that I'm pretty blessed.
Categories:
grandkid, grandchild,
Form: Crystalline
My granddaughter’s dating
her phone call I’m not awaiting
For she is nearly as foolish as me
assuming grandpa never knew a thing or three
about love, marriage and sexuality
Once you’ve the experience to lend good advice ~
your grandkid consults Instagram and rolls the dice
Categories:
grandkid, granddaughter, grandfather, irony, romance,
Form: Couplet
Every morning, before my caffeine
I enjoy waking up with Ilene.
No, it's not what you think -
I wake up with her INK;
The fun thoughts of her daily routine!
She writes poems day out and day in,
With an admirable discipline.
Every day, a new post
Of the topic that most
Strikes her fancy and makes readers grin.
She may ponder the day's biggest news,
Certain holidays kindle her muse,
Or the nasty COVID,
Or a lovely grandkid;
Daily "rhymes of the times" that amuse.
She may also share tales of some sorrow
Or of wishes to beg, steal, or borrow,
But her daily insight
Always starts my day right
So I'll wake up with Ilene tomorrow.
Categories:
grandkid, morning, poetess,
Form: Limerick
“Grandpa when are you ‘gunna’ turn into a frog?”
Me grandson said as I brushed him away;
‘Turn into a frog! That flamin’ kid’s on the grog!’
“Go on! You get outside and play!”
Then I went to the fridge and brought out two cans.
One for my son-in-law; the other for me.
And we talked as we drank about his future plans,
but me grandson once again made the plea.
“Grandpa when are you ‘gunna’ turn into a frog?”
I hadn't a clue what he’s talking about,
so I waved him away as I gave him a jog
“Keep it up ‘Sonny’ and I'll give you a clout!”
Then I went back to talking with my son-in-law
about the footy and cricket but then,
while we’re conversing me grandson once more
interrupted when he asked me again.
“Grandpa when are you ‘gunna’ turn into a frog?”
I’m heating up now; I said “You little brat!
I’ll show you frog after showing you flog!”
But why does he keep on asking me that?
“Now look here young ‘fella’ what makes you think
that I’ll turn into a frog?” And then me grandkid,
said “I heard Dad telling Mum with a smile and a wink -
when your father croaks we get ten thousand quid”.
Categories:
grandkid, humor,
Form: Rhyme
Some sidewalk chalk, a pebble
And a grandkid who would play
Set the stage to bring me back
To many years ago today.
I drew the board, explained the rules
And as we hopped the squares,
A wave of pure nostalgia
Up and caught me unawares.
Remembering the games I played
With friends on Brooklyn streets,
I realized there are certain things
Well-worth some late repeats.
But who'd a thunk way way back then
The future would reveal
A childhood game would, as a nana,
Still have such appeal.
Categories:
grandkid, games,
Form: Rhyme
Never thought I'd arrive
at the age of the Sunday Drive
Grandma did it
when I was a kid it
probably kept her alive
I was the driver on one of her last
needless to say, going too fast.
I touched her hand
said, "I understand,"
but I didn't, for soon she passed.
I've no particular fear of a drive on Sunday
But I sincerely hope I make it to Monday
The way my grandkid drives
I hope she survives
to bury me, like I did my grandma, some day.
Categories:
grandkid, grandmother, humor, nostalgia,
Form: Limerick
A short while back when Shayla was three, Written just for Barbara's Contest.
I took my granchild's child to the Zoo with me.
She sat in he stroller as we pushed her around,
And she knew almost every creature we found,
Lion goes "RRRR" and Tiger goes "Roar,"
Hippos go "plplplpl" which I'd not heard before.
She knew elephants, horses, gorillas and monkeys,
She knew snakes and Gnus and eurasian donkeys.
Since the day was warm and the child needed a nap,
We sat in the shade on a blanket with her head on my lap.
We ate our lunch as I watched our dreamer,
Who woke and ate hers then pointed up at a lemur.
"Julian" cried the child, "Thats right" cried her mother,
And I looked from one grandkid to another.
When we got home, the child ran to prove it.
In Madagascar, thats a Julian who likes to move-it moveit.
Categories:
grandkid, childhoodchild, child,
Form: Couplet
grandma..
years now glisten there,
silvery streak in her hair,
truest, gentlest care..
grandpa..
to walk with grampop
is to hear the paved road laugh
at its unpaved half..
grandkid..
child of eternal now,
tomorrow's one sacred vow,
shows the way, shows how..
Categories:
grandkid, family
Form: Tail-rhyme
He sings so sweetly, my puppies perk
Up their ears. They love my grandkid
As much as I do. Larry opened the door
And Tyler ran in. He asked me why my
Treadmill was dusty. I said it's nice
Outside, so I prefer to walk. Then he
Asked for a Coke. I said it's in the
Fridge. His daddy got him a blue cup.
Gary's explaining the new stuff on a
Computer Diedra gave me. Michelle's
Offices are like mine. She's like me.
Categories:
grandkid, family
Form: Narrative
Years now glisten there,
silvery streak in her hair,
truest, gentlest care!
... grandma.
To walk beside him
is to hear the asphalt laugh
at its unpaved half!
... grandpa.
Toothless grin, lips curled,
step by hesitating step,
child conquers the world!
... grandkid.
Categories:
grandkid, family
Form: Haiku