Grampa’s Ways

This poem is a rhyming documentation of my wife's memories of her Grandfather and the gifts he happened, intentionally or not, to brand on her heart

Grampa’s Ways

When I sometimes go to ponderin’ on
The best men I’ve been blessed to know
There are but three, maybe four
My Grampa Stravers is one from long ago

Shakin' my head with a grin
As Grampa's old habits come back to mind
He was shore 'nuff a silly prankster
But more-so, he was the Jesus-lovin' kind

The midday meal was the big one
Leavin' his tractor in the field
Grampa would walk back to the house
To feast on Grandma's kitchen yield

We'd all gather on our knees
Givin' thanks for the rain and sunshine
Blessing the meal and our family
Our gratitude for God's flawless design

I remember Grampa conveniently,
While liftin' his cup for a drink,
Couldn't hear what Grandma was askin'
Then he'd turn to me and wink

After eatin’ and vistin’ a bit
Grampa would turn on the radio
He’d always listen to the farm report
To learn if hogs was sellin’ low

Then he’d stretch out on the kitchen cot
For his regular midday nappin'
Before goin’ back to his fields
His plowin’ and seedin’ overlappin’

Recollectin' random stray thoughts
My mind wanders through days all sunny
When Grampa'd refer to hog stench
Declarin' it the smell of money

Grampa worked awful hard
Farmin', fixin' equipment and such
His free time was mostly Bible spent
He sure valued stayin' in Jesus-touch

We’d carry a big glass of water out
To prime the pump placed in the yard
The lawn was huge and green
My brother says push-mowin it was hard

The barn was down from the house a ways
It’s where Grampa'd hang his hogs to age
He got chased by a sow from there once
When he’d done something to stir her rage

Grampa never really spoke that much
Can’t remember him talkin’ to teach
But he shore ‘nuff gave me lessons
His actions and modeling have had far-reach

Now that I’ve been Grampa ponderin’
I recollect his wisdom left for me to attend
Is a three-sided life that focuses on
Hard work, playful times and my Jesus friend

by Rik Goodell
© 2023 All rights reserved

This sentimental, nostalgic painting is by Jack Sorenson. I am grateful for his permission to post his art here alongside my poem.

To see more of his work, go to his website: https://www.jacksorensonfineart.com