Flesh & Blood

Born into a world innocent at birth and wise at old

These hands tell a life time of stories to be told

They belong to my father holding my nephew tight

Cradling him and telling him he's going to be alright

Words spoken from this gentle wise and loving man

Of a world as he remembers it the best way he can

"Hello grandson, I've waited a very long time to see you,

and now you are here I am happy this I know is true.

Every day I see you I look forward to seeing your face

when you go home my thoughts I am unable to trace.

For I am old suffering from an illness damaging my mind

each day it takes a part of me why is it being so unkind?

I try and try to act like it's nothing and it will go away but

there are days when I see you and I have nothing to say.

It's not that I don't love you and don't want you around,

some days I feel lost when my mind goes, can't be found.

The family are here taking care and doing their very best

But there's times when I need to go away for some rest.

I am not always sure of where and why it is I have to go

But every now and then I remember little things, I know

So don't be sad little one when your granddads not near

I'm searching for my mind to tell you I'll always be here".

Reviews

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Yellow Butterfly,

It is difficult when the mind or body betrays the individual. It is so very hard to watch the progression. It is the hopeless feeling, the inability to do anything, that I think is the worst. It is only then that we truly feel our mortality, our finiteness, and our inability to affect the universe at a fundamental, meaningful level. Oh, how painful it is for us. It is the steady march of time, and soon we won't be there. Too soon everything is gone.

I feel for your loss, but know that he was loved and that you were loved. That will never change, and that can never be taken away.

All my best,

Rick

[Rob Santana]

Beautifully written. I have fond memories of my grandfather.

[Yellow Butterfly]

Hold on to them.... they're more precious to us even more...

Thank you for your sweet words...

[Not Your Typical New Yo..]

What a beautiful write between the relationship of Grandpa and grandson. Every human being has his or hers own stories, and it's nice to share and teach young ones about our mistakes, about choices they'll make, about life in general, about love. Everything! You really captured that. Thanks for sharing.

[Yellow Butterfly]

Thank you for taking time out to read my work...

[Not Your Typical New Yorker]

No problem, and thank you for reading mine.

[Yellow Butterfly]

:o)

[ba_mcfarlane]

Bittersweet, sometimes the cycle of life becomes cruel on the final turn. This piece is brave and true in addressing dementias that too often rob some of us, in the winter of our lives. Bravo.

[Sami Khalil]

A good write on the relationship between a grandpa and his grandson or a picture of the old generation verses the new with life's lessons that we all learn from the cradle to the grave. A very heartfelt and sensitive.
Thank you for penning.

[Jibey]

A wistful and charming poem, following the heart of an old man with little time to go but a love of new life and a desire to impart assurance and kindness. Touching and moving in its sensitive understanding of the emotion in the old man's heart.

[Tunder]

This was so flowy, so peaceful, and heart-wrenching at the same time. One of the sweetest poems I think I've ever read. And it told a story too. Lovely work

[Revery]

Wow, the intensity of this is powerful. It's a little more on the heartbreaking side than bittersweet, but it is a stunning write deep with the passion of life. It holds the beginning and the end and does the very thing any write should, it makes us think of ourselves, what we have and how we are blessed. It makes us think how life and everyday we have is a gift. Our communion with our loved ones is a gift, whether in faded consciousness or a new mind waiting to be filled and a soul waiting to make memories. Thank you for sharing. Your writing is some of my favorite. P.S. The photo is just profound, an potential award winner.