I swallowed the fear
of travelling three floors
within a metal box
to reach apartment 21,Temple Court,
grandad greeted with a snarled
"what do you want"
which was voiced
straight from the gaping mouth
of his leg ulcer,
assidiously aching
from being eaten to the bone
he bore down on the healthy
as if they were not grateful
to be free from perpetual pain,
grandma reached to envelop me,
engulfing me in suspended animation
that stopped all the clocks,
she showed me who she was with love
and lit a warm welcome with light,
in the kitchen she cooked
with aromas conducive to stimulating appetite,
the coconut and vanilla recipes
cocooned within four walls
she made into a home from home,
she shelved much sadness and sorrow
within the laboured breath of her chest,
taught me to treasure, treasure
all that was great and good,
she gave me the glory
of unconditional love,
and gifted me memories
I replay in the miss-you-moments
of such beautiful, bountiful bliss,
there are not enough words
that are known to me to convey
the charisma, the character,
the genteel lady of my life,
but she is for me beauty personified
Author notes
Option #4 anonymous contest entry: I couldn't write of Grandma without including Grandad within this,they were both virtually housebound for many years,each had different health issues but Grandma was always,always so warm and welcoming,I miss her today as much as I do the day I lost her,some twenty summers ago,I haven't entered this contest so much as to hope to win a trophy but to share the trophy that is my grandma,man measures by gold but he cannot ever attain anything golden with it,somethings are priceless and far too precious,I truly believe my Grandma is in spirit still sending the warmth of her love.
A contest entry
- a most beautiful woman... by PrabhuDayal Khattar.
390 points, ended August 11, 2007, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - In loving memory of.............. by my1lovewearsdiapers.
350 points, ended January 25, 2008, 24 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
-
"and gifted me memories
I replay in the miss-you-moments
of such beautiful, bountiful bliss,
there are not enough words
that are known to me to convey
the charisma, the character,
the genteel lady of my life,
but she is for me beauty personified"
This part touched me most and I really enjoyed reading this piece I thank you for entering and good luck to you -
Okay - now you have me crying - "beauty personified" - yes, she is, I can say the same about mine, too, we must always treasure these people, and feel them sending their love, so very true, what a beautiful write, congrats
-
Congratulations on the Silver. This was such a sweet and beautiful description of your grandmother. Wonderfully done.
Soulful Woman
-
the charisma, the character,
the genteel lady of my life,
but she is for me beauty personified
This is just wonderful and truly heartfelt write ..I love your gestures and sentimes here..Thanks for the wonderful entry ...
-
This one brought a smile to my face...and a softness to my eyes. So beautiful this is...I hope you show this to your grandma. I thought these words to be priceless and precious "she gave me the glory of unconditional love". Here you've shown us the true essence of what this time called life is all about...unconditional love. There aren't many people gifted or blessed with that. The stanza about grandpa stands in contrast to the rest of the poem, yet the compassion for his contition is so evident too. This poem smiles with and oozes with beauty....the most precious beauty that seems to shine more brightly in old age. Lovely, lovely poetry.
~ Nicolette
Adding your comment:
1 - 5 of 5
