Walt

a dedication to my grandfather... gone these 51 years.

my father’s father was a handsome man

were he alive today, I’d be his fan

I’ve always known I share his name

but find it hard to share his fame

 

five foot ten, slim and always poor

his father born just after the Civil War

he pitched for his town baseball team

he played the fiddle like a dream

 

taking a living from a small farm

made him frugal, with a strong arm

long hard days behind horse and plow

made for fitness I can appreciate now

 

a sore foot blister irritation

led to his foot amputation

when gangrene grew in the stump

he still did not become a grump

 

the whole leg amputation

didn’t hurt his reputation

he just learned to use a crutch

and it didn’t slow him down much

 

fifty years have passed by since his death

here’s the story of his last breath

he was on one leg shooting 8 ball

with friends in the local pool hall

 

he was said to be very good

while standing on his leg of wood

I know not if this is just a fable 

he broke and ran the eight-ball table

 

they say that he’d been drinking beer

and when his friends began to cheer

He laughed out-loud, lay down and passed

on that table he breathed his last

 

There’s no reason to ask God why

It seems the perfect way to die

surrounded by love and lots of friends 

and filled with joy as this life ends

Reviews

[C.T. Bailey]

Oh my goodness. What a perfect tribute and exhortation of love and admiration. I was captivated until the very last word. I wish I could have known him and had gotten a chance to hear his stories. I wrote a tribute to my grandfather as well. It is called "Legacy"...I would be honored greatly if you might consider giving it a read...

Todd

[Nick Erickson]

It was a pleasure to meet your grandfather - the way you wrote about him was as if in introduction.
The memory of those who came before us are the best stories to tell - keeping them alive and real.
You have translated your thoughts and memories into an excellent tale.
Well done!!

[TL Boehm]

you excel at storytelling. I wish you had more time to write and I more time to read. Beautiful, gentle humor in this piece.

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

This is fabulous...what a tribute. Sorry he had to go but what a way to go...playing billiards and drinking beer with your friends must have been heaven for him and so he drew his last breath in triumph. Thank you for sharing this - it is quite delightful. Wonderful cadence and rhythm.
Light,
Siddartha

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

Beautifully written, a very nice tribute to your grandpa. Thank you for sharing. Debileah