Grandpa
Sweet face with a trucker’s mouth, made our Grams want to wash it out!
Ivory soap erased more than filth.
Taught us grace, poise, and tact.
Things she reminded us, our mother lacked.
Sharp slap to the rump, she’d never say ass …
Kept us in line when she sensed our dissent.
Our saving grace, our sweet salvation.
Is recognized by all creeds, all colors, all nations.
Grandpa!
—Dee Graves
Leominster
Works in Harvard
