My Mother's Father

A short very basic poem about my mothers father who very sadly passed away when I was five years old, how I saw him and see myself today.

My Mother's Father

You put me in headlocks and ruffled my hair

Threw petrol to our bonfire to make us stare

Smoked your cigarettes without a care and you loved and laughed even with darkness there

One day you were sick, next day you were gone,

But within myself I know you live on.

I put them in headlocks and ruffle their hair 

Light three fireworks at once to see them stare

Smoke my cigarettes with little care and I love and laugh even with darkness there.

We love and laugh even with darkness there.

 

Author's Note

I welcome all comments good or bad

Reviews

[Botania]

The last line visits the sadness of death in a redundancy that is dispair and sorrow as it clings. You've portrayed this well in simple, elegant style by just repeating. And as you've done here, we must replace the sorrow in our lives with meaning and joy. God's love teaches us at all times, at all stages, about life and our bodily death on Earth as well as our spiritual eternal existence in Heaven should we be so fortunate! I have no doubt your Grandfather's spirit lives in Heaven as he KNOWS AND SHOWED LOVE which is a grace, a gift from God.

[Joe Heath]

Thank you very much for your comments and your kind words have moved me! :)

[Jim Gill III]

The "We" in the last line, expanded the sentiment of the poem to touch all our lives. That got me to pondering about how our actions or inactions can ripple through time touching lives of those who we have never met. Thanks for revealing that thought.

[Terpsichore]

We are mostly creatures of reflection and inheritance of the traits we see and learn as children.

Really liked this, it minded me of my grandfather, fifteen years passed away now, and the walks he would take me and my brother on in the countryside that lay to all sides of the village where we lived until I flew far away.

He was a good, no nonsense man, as was clearly your grandfather.

T

[Kelly Scheppers]

My mother died before her father did, so it made an indelible impression upon me, seeing the hurt and pain etched in his face.

Nice to meet you, Joe!

[Susie Q]

A very special tribute to your grandfather. He truly lives on with your words.

[NIGHT OWL]

This has a feeling of nostalgia dashed with a hint of melancholy. And the idea of being akin to the person who's left you - whether out of admiration or just, 'in their memory' - is really a nice gesture.

I particularly liked the line, "Smoke my cigarettes with little care and I love and laugh even with darkness there." Personally I envisioned "darkness" to be of anything which creates grief or sorrow in our lives -- not necessarily death. Sometimes pain enters and it's really about focusing on the present moment - acknowledging the things to be grateful for and being hopeful - even with the weight of living still upon us.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Such a sad and heartfelt piece here Joe. You capture the emotions of childhood memories and loss very well. You also show that your mirroring of your grandfather's ways is in respect for the value he gave you.
Glad to see you resisted the petrol on bonfires lark, much too dangerous!

Not sure about the final line. Does it add to the piece if so does it need teasing out a tad?

[Joe Heath]

Thanks so much for your comments John very much appreciated!
You have interpreted this exactly how I hoped
As for the final line, I added it in at the end and did have my doubts whether it worked or needed altering, you have confirmed this for me and I really appreciate it