Grandad and Rosie

[happytrails]

Grandad and Rosie
never did like each other,
but Grandma loved them both.
From the day Fred Jr.
brought her home
and introduced her
as his new bride,
Grandad and Rosie
didn't like each other.
But twice a year,
Grandma would bring out
the old Kodak, Brownie
and insist they
get close for a picture,
and she'd say
"Smile now."
Closer, come on you two,
you are family, act like it.
Granddad and Rosie
just did not like each other,
but for Grandma's sake
they tried.
Until, Grandma died.
After all the guests had left
and the flowers had been cleared
and left over food wrapped
and put in the ice box,
there was time to relax.
for the first time in three days.
Then, for the first time ever,
Rosie saw Grandad smile;
as he raised his eyebrows
and one finger.
He went out of the room
and when he came back,
he was carrying
that old Kodak, Brownie
and as she watched,
he threw it on the floor
and crushed it
under his size twelve shoe.
They shared a smile
and a hug and a few tears.
But Grandad and Rosie
still don't like each other.

[joel]

I have really loved getting to know your voice and your spirit through your writings...yet there's something especially brilliant in this and in your previous final good-bye that knocks my socks off. Thank you for sharing...and peace to (i.e. between) Grandad and Rosie!

[happytrails]

Thanks Joel. The final good bye was a true story. This one was inspired by a photo taken sometime shortly after WWI. It was an old man who was scowling and young woman who was smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. I have no idea who those people were, but in my head I heard that first statement. I had to write this. Thanks for reading and commenting. But most of all, thank you for liking it.

[dadio]

I have read this poem of yours elsewhere and still like it very much.