Lillian

Lillian turned ninety-one this year

Her weathered hands show all the layers of her life

Benjamins grandmother, she’s mine too

Sixty years’ apart, Nana I call her

Together we sit on her firm floral couch

Revisiting, reminiscing

I listen carefully

Decades ago

 Lillian is roller skating, while her boyfriend orchestrates the music

He plays the organ, while she floats across the room

I want to hear more

 Watching her subtle, careful moves

My heart is tender, a mix of delight and sorrow

Delicate like a baby

The sweetest, gentlest, kindest person I know

Cherish the moments you have left with your elders

Soak up every word

Soon you and I will have grandchildren

Tell them everything you’ve learned

Reviews

[The Iron Horseman]

A lovely rendition of the grandparent relationship. I wonder how much knowledge we have collectively lost because we do not listen closely to the elderly?

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Alicia, that is just really lovely and warm. A lot of aloha in your poem. We can always carry our loved ones in our stories (their stories) songs etc... a wonderful poem. Izzy

[Weeping willow]

What a beautifully written poem,loved every line and they hold so much truth,as when our elders die they take their words and stories with them and then the young will never know.

[casey f]

This is really beautiful! Reminds me that everyones life is unique and wonderful