Your Memory (For My Grandfather)

I remember the last time I saw you,
You slept so soundlessly.
I held your hand and softly prayed
You’d always stay with me.

Slowly then you opened your eyes
A weak smile came to your face,
It took me back to memories
From a different time and place.

When I was young, you held my hand
And taught me about life,
We laughed and talked and we cried
Through happy and in strife.

Then I grew up, but you remained
My hero and my guide,
It mattered not the things I did
In you, I could confide.

The years went by so quickly
And in time we lost track.
The call came in, I fell to tears
You’d had a heart attack.

The hour drive seemed like ten years
I drove there in a trance,
Hoping I’d get there in time
And that I’d have the chance

To hear your voice, and see your face
At least just one time more.
They wouldn’t let me in the room,
My heart sank to the floor.

At last then I could see you
That’s when I held your hand,
Why God took you away from me
I’ll never understand.

The memory of that smile you had
Eases these years apart
Papa, I love you, I’ll always keep
Your memory in my heart.