For my grandfather, b Oct 26, 1908

Oh Grandfather
You left so peacefully
As the gentle rain that came from heaven
You smiled as you left
And reflected on the claims you made
And the satisfaction that you left your legacy
In me

Had I known
That the joy inside me built up
To a pain as strong a curse
That to feel I could not bear
Which I felt compelled to share
I would have told you you'd live forever
And really meant it
That time

Hanging on was not an option
Your sons and daughters were tacit
In my room 18k kilometres away
I listened though my night
As your heart spoke of leaving
Though to me you'd already left
Checked out when we'd said goodbye
At the gate by your papaya tree
In the mid afternoon, as I stepped into my father's
Unblemished
Brand new car
And waved, as you smiled your knowing smile
Knowing that your grandson was finally setting sail
To the place that you'd made him want to go
Equipped with what you'd given
Him

Oh Grandfather
I have yet to learn
To pay my debts
And to recognize every flower again
And to hold my head up high
And to appreciate that which is first-rate
And to lower my head when I see it
So
I ask you to
Wait and see.