gave birth to a dream
and the dream was a seed
that grew into a man
and here I am
still a weening child,
watching Mommy paint
beautiful murals of underwater
scenes on the walls of a nursery,
drawing and writing a children's book,
designing comic book t-shirts
she made me an artist
ninja turtle birthday cake
with five candles
at MeeMaw's house
Daddy etched out a long-neck dinosaur
as I wrote this it hit me why
Mee Maw made a ninja turtle cake
Only a couple months before
I left a Ninja Turtle get well card
above Granpop's hospital bed,
but he left before we could say
goodbye
These memories are golden in a sepia way
now all of Mee Maws' memories are seepin away
her mind has deleted away,
but her heart still strong and beatin away
still hangin on, still keepin the flame
I remember when it first began
an she was forgettin the names
and we would even have a laugh
at the things that she would say
Pop's I never met you but I miss you with all my heart
I have the picture my dad took of a certain baby laying on your chest,
listening to the ancient rhythms of your heart
Mee Maw you are still here but I miss you
you gave me the gift of old family stories
or stacks of pancakes, you gave me discipline, respect,
and that mysterious musical instrument,
a humble sense of humor,
you gave me ninja turtle neck sweaters
for christmas, and the last gift you ever handed me
was a photo of me laying down upon Pops' chest
listening to his heart beat bump the great blood songs
of my lineage. I Love you, Mee Maw, I love you
Pops, I Love you and I know you are protecting
us every step of the way
As far grandparents, they were all i had
I wished I could have met my mother's mom and dad
Now my Grandma Hessle is the only one I know,
she's a saint who travels 'round healing people as she goes
my mommy chose her to be our grandma
as she chose me to be an artist
and a peacemaker I owe everything I am
to her, and my father, and all of my elders,
ancestors and predecessors,
angels and protectors,
i love you all
with all my heart
together you are the reason
our family made it this far.
2 comments:
I like this. Looking forward to your next one.
Jru, I love this, the way you've captured your memories and recognize that they are so much more than that. Not connected to your family by blood but by love and shared experience. I remember your grandparents and even dream about them sometimes. And I remember your MeeMaw showing me a photo of you as an infant, resting on and looking over your father's shoulder. Such a tender image, a moment that caught the past and future.
I have started sending your MeeMaw treasures in the mail. I know she doesn't remember me, but I remember her and hold her close in my heart. Despite all outward appearances, I know she is there and with us in spirit.
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