Family Poems (502)

Old man I see you there
Looking out with your ambitious stare
Wondering if you would like to share
A word or two if you may spare

What brings you here upon this view
His response quick witted as if on cue
I'm watching my son and his sons too
Play in the ocean as I still do

Ahh a surfer I see with anticipated glee
As I begin to unravel his history
A kayak his choice of toy to be
Not bad since he was near seventy

Grew up here in this coastal town
Watched the changes all around
How structures moved the sand up and down
And rock walls grow where banks were once found

I used to jump of the rocks in the early year
But it's all different his persona not to fear
It's still a beautiful place to endear
I come to refresh my mind and clear

Any pictures you may have of the past
The question struck a chord as I did ask
There is one I still have that will outlast
All others as if a spell it did cast

It was taken back in seventy four
With a mate of mine I used to adore
Sharing some weed through an open door
Of an old beat up ute and the ocean before

But his grandson limps up from the beach
Hobbling along with words out of reach
And just like that he redirects his speech
To learn the words his grandson will teach...........

A caring love, between family hold
Past to present, meek and bold
Carried memories, times shared
Remembered by those, who care

Family members, were born and died
Today's majority, active and alive
Of new ones joining, in marriage
Some carrying, life's baggage

Compassion and love, within number will
Act as glue, blood and commitment seal
Babies born, happy-sad-forgotten times
Weaving magic, through genetic lines

Reaching-holding, memories past
Ensures precious bonds, of family last
Throughout generations, together hold
Good and bad times, splintered with gold

Genes or nurturing, may control
Outcome of future, blend of souls
We have the choice, our selection
Personal progress, in many directions

Now neglected, the family returned
Time to move on, some past burned
Memories would linger, never erased
Yet these moments in time, act dazed

The heart of the home, had already left
Over the years, no more than guests
Passing through till today, now it ends
For this short time, they'll not defend

Each other- now pressure, joins the mix
Emotions are high, and feeling sick
They try to push on, but memories halt
Pleasures they remember, comfort is sort

Whatever the outcome, it has to be
Closure a journey, but whatever they see
Jolts from childhood, stirred come alive
Aware that in future, only memories survive

Another chaotic morning
Why am I so surprised
It was also like this last night
When I closed my eyes

It was like this in the arvo
When I told my kids

"Put your shoes where you'll find them"

Of course not one kid did

Mum is just a word they say
It's their reaction from breathing
I hear "muu-uum! " thousands of times per day
And they hear muu-uum screaming

Our house is always crazy
Dysfunction at its best
But if you look behind that
You'll see, there's love in all the mess

To reproduce
involves seduce
Condom misuse
And egg produce
Nine months womb use
Labour induce
To introduce
New life let loose

No maiden shall be left behind.
She can run but she cannot hide!
It's castle law..
Article 15
Section 24

Cafe

HARD YET SOFT,

DETERMINED YET EASY GOING,

PERFECTIONIST YET ADAPTABLE,

THE KEEPER, THE MINDER, THE WATCHER, THE CARER, THE NURSE,

THE CONFESSIONAL BOOTH,

AND ONCE THESE HAVE BEEN PERFECTED,

YOU GET THE MUM !!!

Not since my first child Crystal have I felt this joy
it's incredible being Pop Pop to her baby boy
Each encounter warms my heart with love so real
overwhelming gladness I can't help but feel

Damian loves me the same I can tell
when together.... "All is Well"
He clings and pouts when he must leave
seeing him cry makes me grieve

Concerns about what lies ahead haunts me
I hate to think of the future he'll see
My soul bleeds knowing whats in store for him
the chance it gets better isn't even slim

I pray he's spared the worst of life's pains
on his parade I hope it never rains
Any sadness in him induces welling tears
unlike pop pop I hope he defeats fears

I love my grandson as much as one possibly can
the first time I held him made me his biggest fan

Naomi

So, you are living still away
On life’s amazing trip
A little robin has told family
You might be feeling a little home sick
This happens to all with loving families
Around the holidays and visit of old saint Nick

We all decided to write little notes
To tell you a memory
Or what personality trait that means the most
I wanted to tell you what I seen
The last time you were home and joy you bring

Every house hold was alive
With your stories and your unique vibe
How we all sat in awe
how this little girl has come so far
your winning at life that is easy to see
Amazing is one of words I use to describe
If anyone ever asks me

My memory is one I will hold
You sat at the table in Nanny’s house
You could see they were so proud
They listen to your stories and at time laughed out loud

The joy you bring when your home is easy to see
When family is together you always hear the same question
Well Dee how is Naomi
We talk about you all the time
You’re never too far from our minds

You’re on a life trip
You will have ups and downs and little trips
But please remember this
Even though you live afar
You will always have a place at the table
You will always be offered a drink, a biscuit or bar.

I hope you have great Christmas and know how proud of you people are.

Ah, winter! What a glorious season. Especially with it`s white fascinating blanket of snow. But realistically , it means that cars won`t start, & you see smoking chimneys, blowing, howling winds,& lots of falling snow.
Just another time to store the tennis rackets, golf clubs, & the mower, that won`t mow.
Some people can be seen being resourseful, winterizing their cars & houses, just in case of a winter freeze.
In keeping with rituals of celebrating , with church services, & beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
Bur when it snows, the term "energy saver" does not apply to an older person, when cleaning the driveway for more than a day...
You get a shovel & get a rhythm going & suddenly your hip lock up to one side...& your back stiffens up in some crazy way!
You know you`re aging when it gets in the way of what needs doing & you can find more "energy" to do it all...& you may not care if it EVER gets done!
You`d rather just disappear when it snows...or wait for everything to melt with the sun.
`Bout the time your body loosens up & there`s another motion going, the handle of the shovel breaks in half, only to ricochet off the hood of your car, & into your knee.
Determined, you search fervently for another shovel, in your garage...only to trip over a ladder, slip on some grease, kick over a can of paint, & suddenly see a shovel standing in plain sight against a tree....
By now, your hands are numb & you have trouble opening the door to look for another pair of dry gloves (that don`t match)
& once again, you venture into the snow.
Meanwhile, some kids are playing And you automatically answer -"WHAT"? to someone you don`t even know!
Then you retire for the day, & reminisce about what the season means. You begin thinking about family, friends, & everyone.
And while you remember the exchange of greetings all week, somehow, you`ve forgotten to get the Christmas shopping done.
But for a minute there is a calming peace at the sight of glowing blinking lights, that seem to be shadow-boxing on a few houses nearby.
You halfway expect to see Santa, himself, with his reindeer & his sleigh, flying over all the rooftops in the sky.
And when everyone should be thinking of peace on earth & how a kind word or a smile can get the harshest person to connect...
In the malls, bustling children are scurrying around checking their wish lists, amid people, with their conversations, trying to be politically correct.
All at once, your thoughts stray to a time of raising your children, & you think of crazey glue in their hair, & a stain that would never come off the wall that really didn`t matter...
You stop to focus on the grand kids & if they too, know, you`d like to be in the midst of their clatter.
Then you`re back to reality, putting the shovel (that works) away, (in a safe place)...you hear from somewhere, bells that were softly chiming, Silent Night & so many things are brought to mind...
You suddenly bump into a box, that wouldn`t stay shut, with a teddy bear`s furry arm that dangled from it, seemed to say, "Welcome Home".
And in another box, higher then I could reach, was a well worn plastic Christmas tree (with two missing branches) making it another Christmas, ,only again... just one of a kind.

Nessie Gray