grandma grace

she would fret
in rivulets
but her laugh
washed in like an ocean wave

it surprised her too
you could tell, she would say "oh!"
just like a child ankle deep in the sea

it was best to tell her most things
after they were done
so she wouldn't have to worry over you

i went to see her
in hospice
only once

her mind was skipping through time
i was her brother, perhaps a neighbor
someone who might know where her father was
and what song he was singing
and whether they had taken the picture yet

i was glad anyway
to be able to say things to her
i guess i was waiting to say
until we wouldn't have to worry over it

i could see she was afraid to leave this world

i hope they let her
surprise grandpa john and uncle phil
up there talking blueprints and carpentry
and get into a little mischief after meeting