March 15, 2026Poem

Grandad

lossgriefnatureidentitymortality

Grandad

Was a pitman

He wore a pocket watch

On a chain

With a T-bone

Threaded

Through a buttonhole in his

Waistcoat.

He swung it

Back and forth

Before plopping it

Into his pocket.

Little things

Seemed like magic

It was the closest he got

To humour.

A big man

With small dreams

A lay preacher

He blazed from the pulpit

Every Sunday.

Every other day

He sat in front of the fire

Stoking his fury

Smoking a briar

Full of St Bruno

Until one day

He coughed

Himself

To death.

Who would have thought?