Good-Bye: Narrative Ballad about My Grandfather

It was just like any normal school day

I did not suspect for you to be taken away

I left the house with a smile on my face

And I returned longing for your easing embrace.

The bell rang to mark the end of a boring break

I was unaware of the upcoming, heartbreaking ache

As I settled in for class once more

Heaven came knocking on your door

There was something off about today

But I ignored it as I sat in the sun’s yellow ray

It was time for a test I did not study for

But now it was something I could no longer ignore

As if answered by my hushed, silent prayer

The phone let a soft ring from elsewhere

All were immediately silenced

Like people quietly waiting for the storm’s violence

When the teacher called my name for me to leave

I was the joyful kid receiving a gift on the night of Christmas Eve

I packed my belongings and bid farewell

Emotions of happiness and relief were sure to swell

I ran down the hallway with excitement rising

I didn’t know this wasn’t a good thing until realizing

My sister and cousin were waiting in the front

I saw tears shining on their cheeks, this was something I needed to confront

My younger cousin that went to school with me

Had a look of eagerness and utter glee

She too, however, slowed to a stop

And she looked like she was about to drop

My sister and cousin took us to the car

I could see the tears on my cousin running over a small scar

We settled in the car and I gave a look of suspicion

I wanted to know what had happened, so I made it my mission

“What’s wrong?” I finally asked

My sister reluctantly looked at me at last

My question still hung in the air

The silence was something I could no longer bare

Without another word, my cousin drove off

I stayed quiet as my sister gave a hoarse cough

We picked up my other cousins from school

They would find out what happened, they weren’t fools

The ride home was silent and in a hush

My cousin wanted to get there quick and in a rush

At long last, I saw my home street

Even from where I was sitting in the backseat

I saw the reds and whites of an ambulance truck

The adults could no longer hold back their tears, they were both out of luck

I realized what had happened then

I wanted it to disappear once I counted to ten

We parked in the middle of the street

I hopped out of the car and ran fast on my feet

My uncles and aunts and dad were outside

When I asked them questions, they no longer replied

My dad let all of us inside

I wanted nothing more than to run and hide

I walked in first and my cousins followed

The inside of the house looked barren and hollowed

I heard the single sound of someone crying

I didn’t know that what I would see would be absolutely horrifying

In your room you lay frozen on the ground

I wanted nothing more than to turn around

My mother was crouched beside you

We both agreed this was out of the blue

The men from the ambulance tried to put you on a stretcher

I finally left the room when I could no longer take the pressure

I ran to the living room in a haste

Still not believing your life was erased

As soon as I got there, I threw myself on the couch

I didn’t even feel enough pain to say “ouch”

I tried hard to fight back the tears

Still remembering all of those fun years

Your smile, your eyes, your laughter too

Even the time you took me to the zoo

The picture still hung from when you went to Yosemite

I did not expect this despair would become an extremity

My dad sat beside me and pulled me in a hug

My tears spilled like water from a shattered jug

I knew what had happened even without him telling

But he told me anyways, and the grief began swelling

There was nothing I could do to bring you back

My eyes were closed, and all I could see was black

---

The days dragged on until it was your funeral

I didn’t understand why I had to dress so beautiful

Because in my pretty little dress

Nobody knew that I was depressed

I stood in the front as I watch you be put into the ground

Everyone was silent, there was no sound

Sitting beside me was my 5 year old cousin

I told myself, ‘I knew everything she doesn’t.’

Because on her face was a smile, and she let out a laugh

I ignored her and read on your tombstone the epitaph

“Where’s he going mom?” she asked my aunt

Appearing on her face was a look of daunt

She didn’t want to tell or say anything at all

She looked at her daughter who seemed so small

She said, “He’s just going on a little trip”

From where I was standing, I could see the tears beginning to drip

My cousin seemed to have gotten the hint

I no longer wanted to stand around, I wanted to sprint

The sky was relentless and rain covered everyone

We looked around for shelter, but there was none

Everyone went home after that

My uncles and aunts gave my head a farewell pat

I sat in the car and looked outward

My dad drove us home without a word

---

Days… Months… Years have dragged on

And to this day, I still can’t believe you are gone

I regret those days where I took you for granted

Because the memories are in my mind, still planted

To this day, I still remember what had occurred

I can still remember everything and what I had heard

I can still remember all of you

How you told me I could do anything I wanted to

Before, I would ignore your words

When you told me things outside, I would just sit and watch the birds

Now that you’re gone, I find a deeper meaning to everything you said

How I need to move on and continue ahead

One thing I could take from this experience

Is that everything will never always be luxurious

I have to work hard for what I desire

And how I should never ever become a liar

Most importantly, I should always cherish others  

I should cherish them like they are my brothers

I will never take things for granted once more

My mind will have to find peace when I am at war

Even today, I still miss you grandpa

But, I know you are safe with grandma

When I am feeling down and I look up in the sky

I always wish I had the chance to say good-bye.