Gran

dear youth,

if you’re lucky enough to know

a great-grandmother sweet as mine

sit, listen, and speak up--

declaring “large straight” from time to time.

replace the worm on her fishing hook and set the bobber,

walk with her as she tries to do more than she’s done for a while,

answer her questions--which she might repeat once or twice--

on school,

on pastimes,

on hopes.

listen to stories of your grandfather’s youth,

hear him called by his childhood name,

acknowledge her strength,

admire her faith and joy--

which surely define her more than a bum knee or hearing loss.