An Ode to Grandfather by David Garratt jnr.
My Granddad is strong and wise and kind.
He is fun; he laughs and makes me laugh.
He runs to the sea and lifts weights he squeezes my hand.
We play bowls in his lounge sometimes I win,
He burns me with hot spoons, he prays and we are quiet.
He tells me stories, some he tapes.
I listen to them again and again.
He asks me questions, he tells me of great men some
succeed, some fail. They are warnings and patterns to us all.
Sometimes he laughs, sometimes he cries, sometimes his hand shakes.
Aunty Maybelle plays the piano, we all sing.
He visits his children with Granny.
I bump into them sometimes. I admire them more now.
When Granddad speaks I listen, sometimes he speaks a
Bible verse, sometimes he prays, it makes my spine tingle.
He is old now. He no longer runs but still walks.
I listen to his stories at night, his voice is soothing,
his words a comfort.
My Granddad is a gift.
He is strong in his conviction, a man of God
I love him very much.