Sorry Grandpa

A young man struggles with regret over his lost grandfather.

And so I didn't go to my grandfather's funeral
They would all be there, snickering, gossiping
My hair would be an issue, my career would be an issue
They would ask about my relationship
She's twelve years younger than me
They would cry, they would snivel
I would be the only person there to mourn
They would harangue, they would bicker
I didn't want to be the focal point
They would make me more important than him
And so I didn't go,
Sorry Grandpa.

Reviews

[jen -- JG]

No greater love does a grandson have than to allow the granpa he loved to keep his dignity in death.
The memories that last the longest and sting the most are the final goodbyes at the grave side. Sometimes the memories are better kept as living ones - laughing happy ones and then going at a later time to the grave side to remember and reflect in private.

A lovely poem showing the reasons why he didn't go, and that the love between granpda and grandson was so strong that the grandson knew his grandpa would understand.

Well done
Jen-JG

[Lazarus]

Interesting perspective. I have been there too. Good read.

[Thief Lord Alex]

Wether you're standing in front of the grave or sitting on your bed with a pillow the tears are going to come. Who sees the spill is up to you.

[BelieveInCelia]

Alex,
So poignant...true.
Live without regret.
Tell, no show people how you feel about them while they are with us. Embrace their life. You showed true respect and honor for your Grandfather's memory by mourning in silence and distance.
Beautiful words.
Celia

[A.r. Bazian]

I agree with Kelsmiles...
its true!
its up to you...
i do not know you... but with this on your mind... who am i to judge? but u loved him!
and thats enough...

may he rest in peace!

[Kelsmiles]

We all have to grieve in our own way. Doesn't matter where the tears are shed or who sees them, they are yours to cry.

[D. H. Brown]

Poignant. Completely understandable. Sets strings of relationship huming.

[Andrew Watson]

This is the second poem I've read by you, and again, it points out the narrow-mindedness of our society. You seem to have an impressive skill in that area. You're the kind of person who could change the world with your words, as Martin Luther King Jr. once did. Though I can't tell it from your poetry, seeing that you have a lot of views similar to my own, you might be the type to die for what you stand for and against fearlessly. I really love your way of expressing the flaw of hypocrisy and improper judgment in your poetry.

[justink :):)]

wow it was very deep and not what you see everyday and i can also relate

[The Ponderings of Bella]

Wow I love this poem it is so real and you just can't help but wonder what would have really happened if the character would have attended the funeral..... would all of that happened? That is the beauty of this poem it leaves you wondering and you almost feel guilty for not knowing more about this Grandfather.... Sorry Grandpa----- it is the perfect ending. In that last statement you can see so much. Good Job!

[Jason Kish]

That's very sad. I wonder how the character will eventually resolve his sadness to not live with regret for not going. I, personally, can't stand going to funerals... they're just too final.

Great piece, I really enjoyed it.