FALLEN FROM GRACE.

A BOY AND HIS GRAN AND HER ADVICE

Find yourself
a nice girl

Gran said
and make sure

she’s the type
not to let you down

because believe me
my boy

there’s those sort
on both sides

of the track
and she gave Granddad a look

but he was reading
the newspaper

and never saw her
and you sat and listened

and saw how white
her hair had gone

as you sat up close
and yet in the old photo

by the door
she was quite beautiful

with dark hair
and bright eyes

sitting with Granddad
and their four boys

yes you make sure
she takes care of you all right

you don’t want
one of those slappers

who’s only after
one thing

but a nice homely girl
with good manners

and knows how to sort
her money

and Granddad turned
the newspaper over

and gave Gran a stare
and you thought maybe

a hint of a smile
then buried his head

behind the page
and Gran said

your father doesn’t know
when he’s well off

and I should know
I’m his mother

and I told him straight
I said you’ll not find another

and as she spoke
her half blind eyes

seemed to gaze into space
taking in nothing

not you
not Granddad

as if lost
fallen from grace.