Praying For Grandfather

Frank Prem

We will pray for grandfather,

 

she said

 

in the hope that he will develop a sense of humour.

 

And we will pray that he becomes less tired.
He has been tired, you know,
for all of his life.

 

she smiled as she said it
and reclaimed a stitch that had fallen
rocking to the cadence of her own speech
and the clacking rhythm of the needles

 

It is difficult to be the man of the household...

 

she was speaking almost to herself
as though in a reverie with the rest of us forgotten

 

... so much burden and responsibility,
for the earning of the money, the making of decisions
and having to stay aloof to bear failures and mishaps.

 

To stifle the questions that are unbecoming
when directed to the man.

 

We will pray grandfather recovers from his tiredness,

 

she said

 

and pray that he does not need to be so aloof
to avoid having to explain the shortfall
in the household accounts that worsened last Saturday,
and quite a few Saturdays before.

 

Why, even I
may recover a sense of humour ...

 

and with that her smile broadened
and there was a notable gleam in her eyes
as though she'd said a wickedly delicious thing
as she rocked and knitted

 

~

  • Author: Frank Prem (Offline Offline)
  • Published: November 16th, 2017 00:35
  • Category: Humor
  • Views: 22
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Comments6

  • Michael Edwards

    Now this was so worth waking up to - a superb bit of poetry Frank.

    • Frank Prem

      Thanks Michael.

    • Goldfinch60

      Very good write Frank.

      • Frank Prem

        Thank you GF.

      • orchidee

        A fine write Frank.

        • Frank Prem

          Thanks O. Cheers.

        • Laura🌻

          Frank,
          Great write! It’s so relatable!
          It sounds like grandmother in her rocking chair talking about grandfather!

          At times I find my mom talking about my
          dad...as if talking to an audience...In reality, she’s the audience. The audience of one...herself!

          • Frank Prem

            Thanks Laura. I found it quite amusing to listen to the old lady. Such a sly way of making her point.

            • Laura🌻

              So true!

            • Louis Gibbs

              A brilliant portrayal here, Frank! Both poignant and humorous at once. Sterling poem, as only you can do. Kudos!

              • Frank Prem

                Thank you Louis. Glad you enjoyed it.

              • dusk arising

                Your theatrical poetry at its best again.

                • Frank Prem

                  Cheers DA. Glad you enjoyed it.



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