2025 NOVEMBER POEM-A-DAY CHAPBOOK CHALLENGE: DAY 4 ~ WEATHERWORN
WEATHERWORN (c) 2025 G. Smith (BMI) ================= Granddad loaded air-mail in Baltimore, Back before the world went back to war. Who’d’ve thought back then, There’d be fighting once again?
He wound up in Miami in fifty-two, Following the mail is all I ever knew. Working in an office in sight of Biscayne Bay, He called me, “Old Boy,” until his dying day.
My father started working as a waiter, Then learned to fly as a naval aviator. He flew forty years for an airline, And I think I disappointed him when his dream wasn’t mine.
He taught me to take pride in things I do, That the truth would out and care would shine right through. I learned to stand fast and take an even strain, How to write a poem, and dance in the rain.
Going back generations, I wish that they could see, Everything they lived left a mark on me. Those marks are guiding stars for generations yet to be, Spreading out as branches on our weatherworn, Family tree.
My son teaches English to high school kids. He has more patience than I ever did. Watching him with his little boy, Makes me smile and brings me joy.
The world turns faster than I recall, It’s bigger now, but then again, it seems so small. And what will that little one grow up to be? Whatever he wants will be alright with me.
Going back generations, I wish that they could see, Everything they lived left a mark on me. Those marks are guiding stars for generations yet to be, Spreading out as branches on our weatherworn, Family tree. Spreading out as branches on our weatherworn, Family tree.
