Grandpa's Day
slowly he turns over in his bed
push down his feet to straighten his back
his shoulder aches his side cries in pain
child's voice -- I wish my Grandpa'd be here
crawls out of bed so slowly he dresses
holed socks torn shirt one pair faded jeans
clean yesterday shoes by door there lay
child's voice -- my Grandpa needs a new suit
lane's end he goes -- find his paper there
the dogs explore cold's white field of frost
song birds all know new to read there not
child's voice -- why doesn't Grandpa have a TV
boiled egg he eats the kids cooked last week
puzzle to work next he'll read past's news
for better word radio would work
child's voice -- my grandpa should have a mac
lunch time comes its baloney and cheese
pickles are gone meat has spots of green
safe in his jar peanut buttter there
child's voice -- did we cook grandpa enough
now get the mail sure glad frost is gone
the dogs do roll grass is very dry
no letters here from anyone dear
child's voice -- I'd e-mail my Grandpa dear
comes supper now eat before the dark
one hot dog cold on bread that's his dole
better he fares when grand kids are there
child's voice -- hot dog for Grandpa I'd make
its off to bed you kids get some sleep
your grandpa goes before the light is gone
early we leave fix him for the week
child's voice -- can grandpa come live with us
Grandpa my son lives in Grandpa's day
Copyright © 2009 Jimmiehov. All Rights Reserved
slowly he turns over in his bed
push down his feet to straighten his back
his shoulder aches his side cries in pain
child's voice -- I wish my Grandpa'd be here
crawls out of bed so slowly he dresses
holed socks torn shirt one pair faded jeans
clean yesterday shoes by door there lay
child's voice -- my Grandpa needs a new suit
lane's end he goes -- find his paper there
the dogs explore cold's white field of frost
song birds all know new to read there not
child's voice -- why doesn't Grandpa have a TV
boiled egg he eats the kids cooked last week
puzzle to work next he'll read past's news
for better word radio would work
child's voice -- my grandpa should have a mac
lunch time comes its baloney and cheese
pickles are gone meat has spots of green
safe in his jar peanut buttter there
child's voice -- did we cook grandpa enough
now get the mail sure glad frost is gone
the dogs do roll grass is very dry
no letters here from anyone dear
child's voice -- I'd e-mail my Grandpa dear
comes supper now eat before the dark
one hot dog cold on bread that's his dole
better he fares when grand kids are there
child's voice -- hot dog for Grandpa I'd make
its off to bed you kids get some sleep
your grandpa goes before the light is gone
early we leave fix him for the week
child's voice -- can grandpa come live with us
Grandpa my son lives in Grandpa's day
Copyright © 2009 Jimmiehov. All Rights Reserved
.
Tag: One Single Impression Slowly
prompted by Nancy Bea at Genre Cookshop, thank you
Tag: Jim's OSI
Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do. Edgar Dégas
The same may go for poetry? (whatever, I enjoy painting with the words!).
Tag: One Single Impression Slowly
prompted by Nancy Bea at Genre Cookshop, thank you
Tag: Jim's OSI
Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do. Edgar Dégas
The same may go for poetry? (whatever, I enjoy painting with the words!).
I am looking forward to living a slower paced lifestyle when I'm grandpa's age.
ReplyDeleteWonderfull poem.
This poem leaves me feeling sad and lonely, watching this slow Grandpa. I hope he gets to live with the child!
ReplyDeleteHow soon we go from child to Parent, to grandparent and then...back to child.
ReplyDeleteAs an aged Great-grandparent, I can so relate with this poem...so much---so true.
Somrtimes...late age does bring blessings.
Thanks for sharing this vivid visual of reality.
I loved this one - particularly the child's perspective at the end of every stanza.
ReplyDeleteHow full of love is this child's heart! This poem makes me think of the way children can complete the circle of love in a family that can be broken from generation to generation. They literally skip past the pain.
ReplyDeleteCreative poem, Jim =)
ReplyDeleteI like the nickname "Dropsy" =D
Hi Jim, may I have Mrs Jim's blog url? Thank you =)
ReplyDeleteJim, I don't know why you keep saying you can't write poetry, as this is a wonderful story in poetic form.
ReplyDeleteIt good when the time comesmoving slow, we can enjoy the little thing --- especially the grandchildren.
I enjoyed the POV in this poem. You did a good job of showing the slow patient living of old age and the impatience of the young.
ReplyDeleteThat leaves a real catch in the throat to read, but very nicely done!
ReplyDeleteDear Jim--
ReplyDeleteThis is a poignant portrayal of the slowing down of decisions, choices, work. I really loved this. Thank you--
Jim, now you have made me cry again. I hope to have a grand child some day but my boys(all three) are youngish. Don't know if I'll make it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely tribute to all familys who are so lucky to still have a grandpa. Beautiful written and well done my friend.
love-bd
P.S. I am giving you the Lemonade award. It is given to those with great attitude and/or gratitude.
Come to my blog for details.
-bd
This is a bittersweet and enlightening piece, Jim. Very well done - you have here revealed the gaps of understanding between generations, loneliness, and so much more.
ReplyDeleteI also felt sad reading this until I realized I'd like to be there with him enjoying the simple life.
ReplyDeletei like the choppy style of the lines here, and unique sentence structure.
ReplyDeletei will look forward to the slower pace, i'm sure!
Grandpa needs Meals on Wheels. That is a wonderful little grandson he has. Very good, Jim.
ReplyDeleteAge slows us down as time seems to zip by- unfair...
ReplyDeleteI like the tenderness here shown in their relationship.
The longing for the grandpa to be with his grandson is palpable. I wish you many years with yours.
P.S. You haven't seen me visit the other blogs, including yours, because I'd been out of blogland until Nov. (I didn't realize until the other day you like to write poetry and photograph!) Please return whenever you like and just choose a category and read or look to your heart's content, Jim. :)
Best,
Gel
Slowly is not always good. But this piece is beautiful and 'worldly'.
ReplyDeletei feelso attached in this poem. i am quite close to my grandpa and i was not able to see him in a more mature light. he left us before i finish college..i missed him!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this bittersweet painting.
ReplyDeleteThe images are so vivid, one feels the creak of joints, the taste of stale baloney, the crackle of the dry grass as the dogs roll. You depict the concern of the grandchild, and at difference in world views. While perhaps grandpa could use some assistance with his food, I suspect (given the father's voice at the end) that grandpa likes his world sans TV and mac's, and prefers his faded jeans to a new suit. Lovely in every line.
ReplyDeleteI loved this poem- especially the child's voice each stanza. It did leave me sad and touched- my mom recently passed away and it just kind of reminded me of her living her life by herself. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletePatti
Good analogy. Liked the narration.
ReplyDeleteslowly building it up