Saturday, April 9, 2016

Old. And Adding

A poem. Because it's Saturday.
Our good friend Shirley. Gramma and her little beans.
Great Gramma and her Little Bean
Had the greatest day you’ve ever seen.
They’d talked and laughed, played games – all sorts,
Built puzzles and a blanket fort.

Played Lego, making things just right,
Baked treats and had a pillow fight.
Played knights and forts, read stories, too,
Dressed up, and sang. (To name a few.)

Then, happily exhausted, they
Decided to slow down the day.
Great Gramma’s Little Bean and she
Were nestled down quite snug-i-ly.

Then LB stroked Great Gramma’s hair,
And to her own, she did compare,
“Yours is white!” said the little girl,
Gently touching her own curls.

Then the soft, plump hand the lines did trace,
That clearly showed on Gramma’s face.
“You’re old,” she said, with honesty.
“You’re so much older, Gram, than me!”

Great Gramma smiled, as Grammas do,
And touched the lines she too well knew,
She said, “The things you say are true,
I’ve lived a lot more years than you!”

“I’m four,” said Little Bean with pride.
And a grin that went from side to side.
“I’m eighty-six,” Great Gramma said.
She sighed. “Somewhere ‘tween birth . . . and dead.”

Then LB tipped her head askew,
And grappled with this thought so new.
And then she said, when she was done,
“Great Gramma, did you start at one?”

7 comments:

  1. I remember when we put up blanket tents. Funny I don't remember much about poetry, much less having one of our grandmothers following us into our abodes. Have times changed that much???

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  2. No, Grandma Stringam and Grandma Berg never were much for forts in the living room, or anywhere in the house for that matter. Neither one ever played or read to us. I wonder why that was? I just remember Grandma Stringam scolding us when she came to stay because Mom went to the hospital to have a baby. She got so upset with us for putting Ivory Liquid Dishwashing soap into the bathtub with us when we were having a bath, so we could have a bubble bath. We were in shock! The advertisement on TV said that it was good for hands, so it must be good for bodies too!...and save a little scrubbing at the same time. Because of this, when I visit my grandchildren, I try to do things with them that they will want to remember.
    Love you so much!
    Chris

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  3. The poem is so touching! The heart starts beating like in childhood when you are waiting for miracle from granny.

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  4. What a good observation from such a little person. Eighty-six would seem like such a big number, no wonder she asked that question.

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  5. Little Bean learned a lot in one day! What a lovely poem full of love.

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  6. I love this so much Diane. It reminds me of mom and my granddaughter. My grandparents passed before I was born so I am just enjoying every second with those two and for them to still have their great grandma is just a huge blessing.

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