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Open Poetry #47
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Grandpa's Communication
| Open Poetry #47 |
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Grandpa's Communication |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada 
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He taught me to live, love, laugh and be happy just like the old song. He would explain how Canada Jays came to be called Whiskey Jacks or Gourbys. Said the Chickadee was actually singing.. "Old Tom Peabody Peabody Peabody" cause old Tom fed him during the winter and Chickadees weren't migratory. We built campfires under starry skies watched the smoke from the heat of the flame spiral upwards towards the expanse of those diamond studs buried in the black velvet blanket of a dark peaceful night. Whiskey Jacks would glide effortlessly into the campsite. They were open and friendly Fed them from my hand more than once. Always the sage with respect for creation he would talk about the marvels of the same. He spoke about things like the distance of the sun from the earth. A little bit closer, we'd burn up a little farther away we'd freeze..... He talked about communication Said the animals communicate by smells, movements and sounds. Some animals even warn others when predators are close The Bantum Rooster makes a high pitched kluk kluk kluk when a weasel is present or a high single long shriek when it spots a hawk overhead. I would sit and listen fascinated by his stories and in awe of his experience. We always camped by a stream in the summer or early fall. He'd say, "The water rushing over the rocks was the tireless flow of the grand creator's energy feeding his creatures the waters of life." I always felt like it was, I still do. Then the morning sun would pour into the campsite like butterscotch. The flies started buzzing round and the early morning songbirds cheered the coming of another day. I'd force one eye open There he'd be, boiling the kettle as he called it. The kettle was nothing more than a blackened can hanging over the flames on a stick... The scent of fresh coffee on the air...... I would rise up to the romance of life and after a quick breakfast out came the fishing poles, bait cans and fishing baskets. Laughing and thrilled with the anticipation of the good things to come we would wade out into the stream, sometimes almost up to the chest. I can still see him downstream from me his line glistening in the morning light gliding out into the bubbling waters "Fish the deadwaters by the rocks", he would tell me. The sensation of the end of a fishing rod bending suddenly is an experience that escapes words in any language. My rod would suddenly bend and I'd scream with sheer joy at the thrill... "Keep your pole up!" he'd yell, "that one's gonna be a heller!" I'd yell at him the same way and we laugh out loud with our heads tipped back sending the sound back to the one that granted us such happiness, in appreciation of the wonders of, communication...... At the end of the day, exhausted. We'd clamour back up stream through the alders toward the campsite. I could feel the tired satisfaction within and I could see it in his eyes. His eyes emited a warm spiritual glow a reverence for the gifts of life and a love for me, his grandson. A love for the happiness he was able to share with me passing on a bond of love from generation to generation. I still come here these days, long after he's passed, to listen to his voice in the waters bubbling over the rocks, knowing that those times were as close to perfection as I will ever experience in a lifetime. The waters still rolling along tirelessly through time leaving behind precious gifts and constantly bringing new ones to life. The stories of millions of lives under those stones speaking of thier peaceful rest. I grab the fat little hand of my four year old son, pull him up close, look him in the eye and he knows! Yeah he knows why we are by that stream listening to those waters of life rushing over the stones. The lines of communication are like those waters over the stones................. They're never ending when they are seasoned with LOVE! |
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| © Copyright 2011 Eric Lewis True - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I never had that. I envy you, Eric. ~ If you don't want gays in the military, make the uniforms ugly. ~ |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Touches the heart, Eric....nicely done.  |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Thanks for reading Jerry I guess I have to say I'm very lucky to have lived the experience. I always appreciate your comments. Eric Thanks Mike Glad it can touch the heart. I was hoping for that. Eric |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Eric it obviously had a great impact on the man you are today and we are all blessed by that Lori |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Very nicely written my friend...could feel the love and warmth in this, and see me there. Very well done. Enjoyed much, j. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Thank you Lori That's a very kind thing to say. I always appreciate your visits. Eric _______________________________ jwesley Thanks for the visit and I'm glad you could feel that and put yourself there. I was hoping that would happen and many could relate. Eric |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
A most heartwarming write, Eric. It's what I always wanted for my kids but sadly it didn't happen - not with grandfather or father. They do say that we can't miss what we've never had but I have my doubts because deep down we know. So glad you had such a good experience to share with us so vividly. Helen |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
You're a wonderful storyteller my friend, I only had one grandfather that I met three times, the only one I remember was at his funeral, and my father, his son, died when I was five. You are lucky, you and your son and his son, as far as I can count, that is five generations passing down the tales of your family's kinship, and legacy... How nice that it continues with you, and now, your own grandson... I can't think of a nicer guy for this to happen to. Richard  |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Brought tears to my eyes, Eric. I never knew any of my grandparents. This makes me realize how sad that is. Ida |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Thanks for the reply Helen. Your kids would have really enjoyed the experience but if it doesn't happen life still moves on. Many thanks Eric __________________________________________ Hi Richy Yes, it's too bad some have to miss out on such wonderful relationships. Too bad about your Dad. Thanks for reading and commenting. Eric ____________________ Ida Thank you for the wonderful heart felt response I truly appreciate that. Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Really lovely, Eric. I envy you. I am luckier than Ida (perhaps?) as I had 4 grandparents, but although I saw them fairly regularly, had no communication with any of them. Owl |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Eric, it felt really cozy within your poem, learning of your wonderful communication with your Grandpa and feeling it. He was a most precious gift in your life, as you are now for your little grandson. That's just the way it should be. Enjoyed this deeply. It is so inspiring. Love, Margherita |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Oh my dear Eric... THIS is why I enjoy and envy your poetry so much...we are kin in the love of family in this poem, and while the man was your grandfather, the man that taught me to fish was my own father... and grateful am I at the memories you've churned with this poetic memory... and I thank you, sir, from the depth of my whirlpool. God blesses memories. |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
What a wonderful way to end my day. Your poem is as special as the relationship that you had (and still have) with your Grandpa. Keep the communication alive and he will never die. This is special, Eric. Thank you. Alison |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Diana At least you got to know them and that's always good. I always appreciate your comments. Many many thanks Eric ___________________________________ Margherita Thank you for the kind comments and for feeling cosy with this as that's what it is meant to do. He was very very precious to me and always will be. Yes, the little guy is just a couple or three weeks away now and everyone is full of anticipation. Thank you so much for the visit. Eric _______________________________________ Karilea I'm so glad you got to do that with your Dad. I'm also glad I got to stir the memories as we both know they're precious beyond words. The family closeness is magnified and I always appreciate your comments on content. Take care, and you're right, 'God blesses memories.' Eric ________________________________ Alison Dear poet of the north. I'm so happy this made the end of your day. You're exactly right, he will always be with me and I pass him on to those coming on up the line. Thank you so much for the kind comments. Eric |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Eric....Wonderful memories are carried by the river to so many. Yours are very lovingly written! |
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twistedpup Member
since 2011-02-25
Posts 115 |
very well written, ive been waiting for you to write again, i love reading your work. *hugs* |
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