For Grandma Fine

A poem dedicated to my late grandmother.

Months ago, I never thought I would be

Telling this poem and attending your funeral

And meeting the rabbi at the synagogue

And saying your prayers to send you to Heaven

You were always full of life and joy

Gave me spirit, inspiration and happiness

You always told me your late husband was a great man

And you gave his first name as my middle name

You said that I looked like him

Even when I painted a bad painting

You still hung it up, framed, on your wall

You always supported me no matter what I wanted to do

You always had my happiness in your best interests

I used to love Fridays when you picked me up from school

And buy me comics from the goody shop and then made me dinner

I may have never openly told you that I loved you

But I’ve said it with the tears I cried by your hospital bedside

Whether I asked for it or not, you always spoiled me

Ensuring that I would be happy and that I would get by

You taught me to keep faith when things looked tough

And gave me a new way of seeing through my eyes

On a holiday in Poland, you said to look at those around

And look at their similarities rather than their differences

You once spoke to my brother in a dream and said

I am ready. This is my time

I am sorry that you cannot read this poem

I am sorry I could never achieve something truly great

I am sorry I could never bring round a nice girl like you wanted

I am sorry you could not be at my graduation

I am sorry that I wasn’t man enough to stay in your ward

The thought of losing you is too hard to handle

I remember when I used to be reluctant to kiss you

But just this once, I’ve decided to kiss you on the cheek

There will be many challenges I will have to face in life

But none will be greater than saying goodbye

To you for the very last time