Oh Grandfather

Grandfather I cry, I hold it in, I cry. I hate the way I saw you tonight, Wrapped up in wires, Sleeping beneath the shut off lights, But this is no sleep your in, Its just a moment before your passing. Oh Grandfather, I will forever hold the memory, Of slick juice upon my face, Sweet clementines dripping down my cheeks, And long stripped socks at Christmas. I will look back and dream, Of slim jims and chocolate milk, Sitting at the bar, The lights dimmed, And Barbie stamps covering my pale skin. When I was less than five years old. Oh Grandfather, I will never forget, Sitting on your black leather couch, And watching Mulan for the first time, Or the love and surprise I felt, When you bought it for me, Because I loved it so much. Oh Grandfather, I will always remember, Walking the small trail down from your house, To go look at your Harleys, And feed the little ducks, Crumbs of bread, Or a whole damn loaf if I really begged. Oh Grandfather, I will never forget the time, When you handed me one hundred bucks, Just for Graduating, not even at the top of my class. When I tried to return it, You insisted that you wanted me to keep it, And I cried, I hugged you hard and felt your love, Deep in the nether regions of my heart. Oh Grandfather, I will strive to remember, The smell of beer and whiskey and cigars on your breath, What a sweet smell that now seems, And oh how I wish, you would have stayed for that bottle of wine, Just stayed a little longer for all of your visits. Oh Grandfather, I will never forget how I felt when Grandma told me, You served in the marines, And I could not believe, That those Santa Clause eyes, Could be that strong and brutal, When you were always so nice, And I found for you a new respect. Oh Grandfather, I miss you so much, As you lay in your bed, Strung up with wires, and tubes and struggling, To find your last breath. Oh Grandfather, I am crying, I cant hold it in.