That Time I Wrote a Poem for my Grandkids About Oprah

((even tho's she's not on TV anymore...))

Son Aaron’s creation, circa 1981

What My Grandkids Will Say About Me on Oprah

When my grandkids talk to Oprah
    about their Nana, the famous writer,
they will say words were my oxygen–
    to read, write and share
and that I spent way too much money
    at Thrift Stores on books by dead authors–
Emily Dickinson, George Herbert, LM Montgomery
    and Keats.

They will also tell her I loved to sing–
    another form of breathing–
and how I embarrassed them in public
    by belting out the “Tomorrow” song from Annie
or grabbing their elbows in the mall
    while shouting “We’re off to see the Wizard!”

They will announce to the world,
    in front of God and everybody,
that my profession as a teacher was their   
    greatest undoing; constantly coaching 

about penmanship, the correct formation 

of the letter “a”, pointing out misread 

syllables in a favorite text.

They will oblige Ms. O’s prodding by adding the death 
    knell~
that I couldn’t help myself when it came to learning,
    revealing in hushed tones that I often resorted
    to using an encyclopedia as torture 
    (the 1956 World Book edition).

My grandchildren will remind her, however,
    (before the commercial break)
my best qualities were the way I delighted in the world,
    showing them wonders in the garden,
surprises in the grass, the avian miracles of
    chickadees and juncos in the branches,

robins in the birdbath.

Most of all, when my grandkids talk to Oprah,
    they will tell her my lungs longed for the breath of
    Heaven, the Word, and how its oxygen proved
    my greatest life support throughout my livelong days.

---

This poem was included in my first poetry book “Hearts on Pilgrimage-Poems and Prayers” to acknowledge my grandchildren’s frequent comments about my obssession with Stuff They Should Care About when it comes to writing and words. Since I began writing poetry in earnest, they’ve also complained more than once, “Nana, your poems don’t rhyme!” Well, I solved that with a poem in my newest book, which if you’re following along with the PoetScribe adventure, you’ll see in the weeks to come.

When we care about something deeply and share our love of things like books and poetry and words and music, I think it rubs off. I pray my grandkids will gather a seed or two that grows into their own love for words and reading and poetry.

But mostly I pray they gather a love for Jesus.