This is for my grandpa the greatest man I ever knew
He was to me a man of many talents always as I grew

He was not a man of large stature or even very tall
The word willowy or sinewy describe him after all

He was a man to all who ever knew
A hard worker his word always true

He was not a man of formal education
School of hard knocks his foundation

He always used his words sparingly when he would speak
Though his words or story told his voice was never weak

He taught all of us kids to listen when allowing us to visit
The same phrase he would always recite if you did revisit

When you asked what was that you said granddad but I never felt abused
I don’t chew my cabbage twice was nearly always the come back he used

This was his way to let you know what he had to say was always important
Your ears had to stay open if you wanted to hear his words not unimportant

Sometimes he would tell you an old story or sometimes recite a verse or phrase
Every time he spoke if you listened and listened hard he never ceased to amaze

There are so many things my granddad shared with me
I cannot sit and visit him now I only have his memory

He has been gone from this earth for a long time now but his word spoken I still miss
Not because my ears are closed but because his voice only comes to my mind in bliss

Someday I hope to write a book about this man and with my grand kids share
To pass along thoughts and memories encompassing my mind never is it bare