Grandpa and the Kid - poem

 

Lawrence Hall

Mhall46184@aol.com

https://hellopoetry.com/lawrence-hall/

poeticdrivel.blogspot.com

 

Grandpa and the Kid

 

Grandpa gives his boy a toy truck

Or better yet a clanking army tank

Or maybe a plastic shovel and pail

Or a real Roy Rogers cowboy hat

 

And the little boy’s hovering mother clucks:

“Now what do you say to Grandpa? Tell me!

Say to Grandpa “Thank you.” We say “Thank you!”

No, don’t just run away; say “Thank you!”

 

[Extended Form for Certain Feasts and Seasons:

 

“Now what do you say to Grandpa? Tell me! Say to Grandpa “Thank you.” We say “Thank you!” No, don’t just run away; say “Thank you!” “Now what do you say to Grandpa? Tell me! Say to Grandpa “Thank you.” We say “Thank you!” No, don’t just run away; say “Thank you!” “Now what do you say to Grandpa? Tell me! Say to Grandpa “Thank you.” We say “Thank you!” No, don’t just run away; say “Thank you!” “Now what do you say to Grandpa? Tell me! Say to Grandpa “Thank you.” We say “Thank you!” No, don’t just run away; say “Thank you!” Amen.]

 

And Grandpa smiles and lights his favorite pipe

(His daughter rolls her disapproving eyes)

She sees tonight’s bath in the sand and grass

But Grandpa sees beyond this time and place

 

His boy builds a road, a fort, a castle, a corral

And Grandpa thanks God for his little pal