[net.poems] Granny

woody (01/26/83)

I wanted to be
the old woman, and smile
when the children made noise
I wanted to tell all the stories
of joy
and where it is found
in soft summer evenings,
in the voice of the mulberry tree
richly, the smell of hot soil rising up
with the flowers' sweet breathing
will they love my old laughter
as, oh! I love you?
Grandmother, you
I have wanted to be.
growing old, blessed with joy
and love in the face that I wear
leaving hope like my own
in some heart somewhere.
You have braided my life
in a pattern;
my memories, yours--
we are children together,
and I want to be
the old woman.

		11/4/82

for Laura McGraw Upright
May 11, 1884 - December 24, 1982