And then there was ol’ Grandma Grittle…
she had the spitfire spunk of ten men
with a mortifying diligence
and work ethic to die for
an old stubborn steam engine that never rusted nor quit
but never let you down
well acquainted with sweat, tears, and elbow grease
the daily ointment that rubbed all our fears away
that’s why we fancied her nickname “old anchor granny”
such a foundation stone to all the little Grittles, boys and gals
even at the ripe old age of ninety-five
boy was she a firecracker, still on fire in her own right
steadfastly emanating, manifesting her love’s light
she planted a solid spine and humility into all of us
relishing the time she had with all her children
grandchildren, and yes,
great, great grandchildren
claiming each one as her own
her bright wings large and far-reaching
expanding the extent of the whole family
fully seasoned wisdom
sage and judicious
a war veteran demanding the full weight of her gravity
we learned never to pull her trigger
although she didn’t refrain
from cracking the whip with a quick flick of her wrist
she never hesitated to spray us with a timely smile
our faces would swell with laughter
strengthening our chain
invisible
unbreakable bond
I would like a “super like” button for this one. The love shines through, and I’m sure you were writing about a real granny. The picture is beautiful, such a happy smile.
Thanks Viv, yes I definitely had an ol’ Grandma Grittle. She’s still chugging along too. 🙂
Yes, I agree with Viv – this is a “super” like and the photo that accompanies Grandma Grittle is perfect 🙂
Hola Pearl! Good to hear from you. Hope things are swell with you.
Thanks
This is wonderful. Women like Old Grandma Grittle are priceless treasures in our lives. They instill such great standards to strive for but all through the gift of love. Their light shines so bright and is unmistakable.
What a truly lovely read first thing in my morning.
Priceless treasures they are full of love.
Reminds me of my dear old friend who passed away at 94 spunky and independent as ever!
Spunk and Independent, know it all to well! Lol!
If only we all had an ol’ anchor granny to, “steadfastly emanating, manifesting her love’s light/she planted a solid spine and humility into all of us,” this is such a great character development, Benjamin!! I really enjoyed reading this…happy day to you!!!
Thanks Hannah. I’m dog tired but I’ll check out your site tomorrow.
I hear you….I was struggling just now trying to get to poetical peeps…morning is such a better time for this. Thanks for saying so though, I appreciate that! 🙂
Great portrait of an unforgetable individual. Reminds me of the eulogy my nephew read at my mother’s funeral. There is that certain something about older women who survive so many years of life.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/unexpected-gifts/
Thanks Elizabeth
As a whole, the shape could be a key, or the slot a key fits into. Your Granny is a key to the life of all those Grittles. I loved this read. Thank you.
Thanks Brenda.
I’ll bet we all have known at least one ‘granny grittle’, the memorable and feisty old woman our mom’s took us to visit, or we worked with, or had as a neighbor…and you can’t help but love them….
You know it. I had a Grandma Grittle, and a great Grandma Grittle.
I am with the others, Benjamin. This is just wonderful, and thank you for writing it.
Pamela
Hola, I didn’t know you lived in Mexico.
Almost 11 eleven years now, Benjamin.
Awesome!
What a very REAL person you rejoiced in in this one. The words fitted beautifully.
Thanks!
So sweet and fun 🙂 I definitely know an “old grandpa grittle”, and this was just perfect!
Oh, Grandpa Grittle….that would make a nice poem!
Delightful, warm, wise and wonderful!
Thank you for your warm words!
We’ve got an older gal now in her almost in her 90’s – just a tad slower than she once was but that spark when allowed to flair…sometimes others feel the need to quell those with less physical agility. But then ‘She’ did pass along some of the responsibilities she wanted others to handle. I don’t think though that that gave other family members the right to sometimes squash her spirit.
She plugs along…resisting change, and yet adapting just the same.
Only when you have time for a visit…no rush, I’m here:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/07/sw-wordle-65-evening-odds.html
Ok, thanks Jules…
Benjamin, this is such a wonderful piece, and a lovely tribute. Well done to you and to all of our grans!
Yes! 🙂
What a grandma full of mettle…and grittle!
What a wonderful tribute and take on these words Benjamin – it makes me feel good just read and re-read your poem … well-done.
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.it/2012/07/on-perils-of-villa-cimbrone.html
Thanks for coming and reading.
Your poem is so real and finely done. Must be a real Granny behind this somewhere. Those old gals had to be made of tough stuff to survive and then to teach us all how. Thanks for this.
Thank you for your thoughts and comments 🙂
Granny definitely has gumption! Thankfully my family has lots of those loving but tough as nails matriarchs to keep us in line, hope they’ve passed on enough for a few of us to step up and show our Grittle when the time is right. Wonderfully written, Benjamin!
Lol! Thanks Mary.
Quite the character you’ve crafted there, Benjamin. I’m sure most families would embrace her as their own.
Hey Walt! Yes, had one granny in mind for this one. She had some character to say the least. Been slacking in the garden, I’ll try to crank out my poem tonight…