| Grandpa Took The Time |
|
Grandpa took the time to teach me Lots of things I need to know; How to drown out a cricket, So you can bait your fishin' pole. He taught me how to polish tools And sharpen up my knife, How to be real careful with The people in my life. He told me I'd be grown up soon. But, I was just a kid. Seemed like boyhood lasted long, I was sure it did. I couldn't wait to get a car, So I got a motor bike; I learned to ride the thing real good. Now, I didn't need to hike. Shucks, I could be 10 miles away In about that many minutes. But still, I waited, impatiently, For the car with a tape player in it. 'Fore long I was old enough To get my driver's license! My! The time had passed so slow, at first. But now, it's like the races! Then came eighteen And time for 'registration'. I was a 'man'. School days Were on a long vacation. Grandpa seemed so worried And, I noticed, he seemed old. I always thought he'd be the same. But, it was like he told. And when I asked him to go fishin', He sure wanted to, I knew. But, he was tired and, if he went, There was so much he had to do. He had the oxygen, by now, And pills to take along. His old voice cracked when he would Sing the "Crawdad" song. Still, we went and parked the closest I could find for us to be. I didn't want my grandpa To lose his breath with me. When Grandpa talked to me, these days, An earnestness prevailed. He spoke of things eternal; Told me stories that revealed ... The love of God, provision for Our lives eternally. He knew that I loved Jesus. But, He wanted me to see ... That he did, too, and I could count On seeing him in Heaven. The talks were long and meaningful, Much deeper than at seven. I took the razor to my face, My muscles had new strength, And then the news, from far away, Reached in and made me think. I loved my family, my land. I knew I had a duty. It was hard to say 'goodbye'. Grandpa hung on to me. I told him that I'd see him, soon. But, he kinda hung his head. He'd been to war, himself, before. He knew more than he said. I'm glad we had that fishin' trip When Grandpa talked of Glory; Glad he told me, once again, My very favourite story. For now, I'm sure that, come what may, I'll see and know his features. Life goes by ... so quickly and We all need our Grandpa teachers. |
| © 2004 by Joan Clifton Costner |
| Other poems by Joan Clifton Costner A large collection of poems, submitted by Joan Clifton Costner |
| The Poem Library Contents Page |