Grand Ma's Arms

A memory of my Grand Mother

 

Grand Ma’s Arms

 

By Charles D. Moorer

 

Fingers beautifully curved like long brown bird feathers

attached to outstretched arms that cupped and pulled me

to her massive bosom.

 

Grand Ma’s arms were a sanctuary I would know but once.

 

I remember her telling my Aunt Belle, her daughter, to “stop whining.”

Fast Belle had lost her husband to another woman. “And stop that

crying, these children don’t need to hear that noise.”

 

I was fascinated by this wrinkled, old woman whose head was covered

by brown hair with streaks of white invading around the edges and down the middle

My father obediently called her Momma, like the little boy he became in her presence.

 

She brought with her fresh vegetables, cured meat, and rock candy for us kids.

I think she came by bus, maybe it was by car?

 

She cuddled each of kids, but somehow spent more time holding on to me, if she were to let go, something bad would happen to her or me, I don’t know which.

 

By next day she was gone back to that mysterious place called down south.

 

Three moths later, deep into winter, she was dead of a heart attack. 

I didn’t know what that was. I did not know what death was. 

 

I just know I found sanctuary once in Grand Ma’s arms.

Author's Note

A memory I had of the one time my grand mother held me in her arms

Reviews

[Cherrie Palmer]

A beautiful memory, that you tenderly captured. I'm only sorry you didn't have her longer.

[Winter McPherson]

Very moving piece. I love the description of her. Good work!

[JustKeith]

Beautiful!

[An owl on the moon]

This is so tender and poignant. I loved the insights you shared about the moments you had with your grandmother and what her life meant to you.

[LJW]

So simply written yet so profound.

[Patricia]

Wow, Charles. You are talented.

[Gandré]

what a wonderful poem..... this makes my day......


mysterious place called down south. -------------> this is a place called love...

Oh.. wonderful tribut... and one can see: Love is magic; delightfully magnetic words you settle every line....

[Tiffany]

Really nice piece of writing. Down to earth and real. Thanks for sharing, t.

[D. Pesek]

I have been on Writers Cafe for a few hours tonight looking for something incredible. I think I just found it. The poem was well written, I love how it told a great story and kept me interested without using a ton of fancy words like other writers try to do.

It amazes me that something so brief as a hug had such an impact on you, allowing you to write about it in vivid detail many years later as if it had just happened. That is awesome.

Great job, this poem is definitely going into my Favorites Library.

[Salvatore Buttaci]

What a wonderful memory to take through life! A heartfelt poem!!