Grandma Blessed Me

Art: Promise Framed by J.Planet

Grandma Blessed Me
by E.M. Murren

I remember Grandma working in the kitchen
Making fried chicken for a Sunday meal
Since Mom hated fowl, this was a treat
So were mashed potatoes not from a box

I remember Grandma in her garden
Picking fruit to send home with us
Grown by her own hands
A miracle in my ignorant urban mind

I remember Grandma telling stories
About her immigrant Polish grandparents
Her superstitions and her magic
Her dreams that seemed to always come true

I remember watching Grandma drop nickels
Into random slot machines while we crossed the Sands' lobby
"You bring me luck," she whispered
Whenever she gathered her change

I remember thrilling at Grandma's playbills
Musicals and dramas, operas and ballets
West coast productions in a bygone age
When mink stolls were still glamorous

I remember hearing of Grandma's travels
Boat cruises from Mexico to Alaska, From Japan to Hawaii
Later to Boomtown and Carson City when they retired north
My ideal gypsy soul personified

I remember Grandma predicting weather
By watching the patterns of passing birds
Spent summers in the Sierras learning Nature's language
Grandma seemed to understand

I remember seeing Grandma behind the counter
In her stationary store in Norwalk
Worked hard for her money
Enjoyed high fashion of a bygone age

I remember Grandma teaching me to sew
While Lawrence Welk irritated my rock and roll soul
Heard opera on her radio station when she drove
Music which still stirs my soul

I remember watching Grandma
Live with Grandpa's criticisms
Nothing ever seemed right for him
Especially near the end

Married 53 years after meeting at a dance
Two weeks prior to their wedding
For better or worse 'til death did they part
I learned how to forgive from watching her with him

She died pushing a vacuum while Grandpa napped
Grandma's home was her castle
I felt her presence there, her love,
Even after she left her body behind

Grandpa collected her hidden winnings
The scavenger hunt went on for days
Two Grand when gathered together in one place
Grandma always loved her games

Category:

Entertainment

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• Poetry