Grandpa’s Arms
Virginia Salter

there we were
Mike on one leg I on the other
equal in Grandpa’s arms

secure, happy was I,
resting against Grandpa’s chest
on that sunny porch of a summer morn

we had a bond, he and I
peanut butter and molasses
sandwiches

oh, sure,
Brother liked them, too,
but definitely not as much as I

long before cholesterol concerns,
we feasted
on cold chicken gravy sandwiches,too

Grandma used to say, of Grandpa, with an eye twinkle,
he’s hard of hearing, unless you whisper,
then he catches every word

I loved my grandpa
didn’t know he drank too much
didn’t know his wonderful little farm
would find him absent so soon

had to say “Good-bye” to my grandpa
when I was only six
guess, in some ways,it protected his memory

lost him before I was aware he had weaknesses
just like any other person
just like I

of course,
I didn’t know I had any then either
didn’t think about it

except that time
with the wild turkeys

© August 19,  2000
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White Turkey Trot
Virginia Salter

out in the turkey pen
Mama at my side
a little girl of five years old
my eyes opened wide

a new red sweater
to keep the chill
from arms and back
walked around among the throng
when turkeys began attack

crying  and running
to try to get away
Mama got a great idea
to keep those birds at bay

“I think it’s your red sweater,
that makes them run at you!”
she pulled it off and threw it down
right in the turkey poo!

those birds attacked that sweater
as if it were a beast
no longer had my sweater
but next fall a turkey feast!

© August  22,  2000