Grand old man by David Byrd-Marrow

I remember my grandfather in only a handful of states.

HAM radio operator. It was a way to be involved. 80's. His way underground. He never knew what a spin class was. He'd preferred I learn morse code instead of the horn. Sax(!) instead of the horn.

Military veteran. I never confirmed that he was a war vet, which is to say that I don't know if he'd killed. For that matter, I don't know if anyone of my family has or hasn't killed.

Beano. Intestinal fortitude doesn't run in my genes. It runs in my genes jeans. That was awful.

So maybe a poem:

 

"With this drink...take hell by storm." (2014)

 

longing for a groan,

searching for static

childhood bores the young.

The old watch in envy.

Wringing the lake water 

from the towel to make

rat tails. Stinging more with age.

Wanting more to sing, and

sing louder the chorus

overwhelms.

steam and pastures.

 

© David Byrd-Marrow 2013

A Poem by David Byrd-Marrow

Man for Himself 

 

They can't stop sleeping in the sky.

Now that all of God's people have a god,

The strange fruit belongs to the bat.

And the sweet smell keeps them fat.

The stylish needs of the poor

drive the whole world to war.

The children will not stop playing.

 

© David Byrd-Marrow 2002