Tuesday Poem: "Talking to Grandfather"

For Helen and Matthew

New life stirring

in this place of the dead,

tears welling as you feel your baby

dancing with the spirits

of its grandfather and uncle,

the rivulets on your cheeks

fed by the twin tributaries of joy and regret.

Arthur walks among us.

I feel his presence every day.

His blood courses through the veins of our children

and though he cannot hold his grandchildren

his spirit holds them up

and will guide them from crib to grave.

Arthur walks among us.

Every day he feels your joy

and his heart is filled with love and pride.

He will be there at your shoulder, smiling,

when your child is born.

A curtain may flutter; a breeze will brush your cheek

and you will sense,

as you did at his graveside,

that there will always be a time for

talking to grandfather.