Through the eyes of a child

[noelcauser]

Our exercise last week was about the cutest things that children say. My effort.


Through the eyes of a child

“Grandpa”, why do have so many krinkles on your face
Her prying voice and loving look was a delivery of grace
Grandpa thought a while before his answer did unfold
“Its when your body starts to slow down then you know your getting old”
When I was a young man,I was really big and strong
My arms were as tough as iron bars and my work days hard and long
But now muscles are slowing down and shrinking and not what they used too be
See my dear old my age is slowly catching up too me.

The conversation ebbed and flowed about life's mysteries'
As quick as one was answered there be another two or three.
Her mother sitting by was listening to the conversation with intent
She knew the final outcome would be a journey not well spent
“When are you going to die Grandpa”will you be here when I reach seven
“One day I guess I'll kick the tin, then go to live with God in heaven
No one knows when you'll get the call, only God knows that”
Lets you and I go for a walk and with that he grabbed his hat.

They wandered up the gravel road and talked of many things
Of Kangaroo's and emu's and of lovely birds with wings.
As they walked the young child listened and dwelt on every word
Grandpa's mind was working overtime, some answers quite absurd
They came upon a fallen tree which her dad had recent cut
A good example Grandpa thought to really strut his stuff.
He'd show her how to tell the age by the growth rings clearly seen
He'd link this with his wrinkles with some little fill -ins in between.

This he said! This tree doesn't have wrinkles but these lines can tell its age
each line represents a year of growth so you can trace its every stage
Let's count the rings and then we'll know just when this tree was born
by fifty two the rings had reached the outer edge before its trunk was sawn.
They wandered on and then she found a discarded soft drink container
and starts a sort of soccer match when Grandpa had a brainer
He'd show this kid his footwork as he lined up this rusty tin they'd found
one all mighty swing and miss Grandpa landed backwards on the ground.

The gravel was quite unyielding and Grandpa's conker hit the ground
The lights went out on Grandpa and from thence he didn't hear a sound.
When this five year old reached the homestead the words that came were thin
Mummy quickly hurry, Grandpa's has kicked the tin
At first the mother thought a joke but when no father could be found
Panic bells began to ring as she extracted information that was sound
He's lying up the road Mummy I'm sure that he is gone to heaven
The mother now in panic mode the car was really revving

In the mean time Grandpa had slowly gained his wits and his memory back on track
The daughter busy dialing triple O, and to the homestead bought him back
Examination showed he took a blow which needed some attention
The grandchild was saying nothing but showed she shared affection
The ambulance crew they fixed him up and suggested he should rest
May have to go town next day and run some scanning test.
A cup of tea and a home made scone he was slowly back on line
a well planned rest and a little snooze he'd be feeling fine.

A lesson to all Grandpa's when you expound your knowledge too the young
Don't use fancy throw a-ways or else you will be sprung
A childs mind is somewhat limited and they dwell on every word
So using fancy fill-ins can be considered quite absurd
Whilst resting the Granddaughter had checked his kringles once again
To her mother stated, I counted up Grandpa's growth rings and he is only TEN
ncauser © 2011

[mummsie]

Hi Noel,
Thank you for sharing those beautiful words, I must admit to a few tears with this one,and laughter as well. Kids, say the darndest things.
Sue

[Maureen K Clifford]

agree with Sue Noel - made me laugh as well

Cheers

Maureen

[Neville Briggs]

That's a good story Noel. I think that we can learn a lot of poetry from children if we observe their directness.