The View

THE VIEW


THAT’S SO SECOND GRADE POPPOP
THIS FROM MY GRANDDAUGHTER
AFTER MY TELLING HER
ONE OF MY WORLD FAMOUS
KNOCK KNOCK JOKES

OR TALK TO THE HAND
THE FACE ISN'T LISTENING
AFTER I'VE TEASED HER
TO THE POINT OF EXASPERATION

OR TO GET MY GOAT
SHE'LL SWEETLY ASK ME
TO TELL HER ABOUT THE OLD DAYS
THEN STIFLES A YAWN
AND CROSSES HER EYES

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE WORLD WILL SURVIVE
IF I DON'T TEACH MY GRANDCHILDREN
HOW TO TAKE OFF THE TOP OF THEIR FINGER
OR THE WORDS TO LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING UP
SO MUCH TO DO
SO LITTLE TIME

I HAVE LIVED THE BIBLICAL GOOD LIFE
I HAVE SEEN MY CHILDREN’S CHILDREN
AND BEYOND
THERE WERE TIMES I THOUGHT
THEY'D ALL END UP IN PRISON
BUT IN SPITE OF ALL MY PARENTING MISTAKES
THEY'VE TURNED OUT WELL
AND I AM PROUD OF THEM

TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
ONE MUST ENDURE THE PAIN OF THE CLIMB
SO IT IS WITH PARENTING
I HAVE REACHED THE PINNACLE
AND THE VIEW IS WORTH THE CLIMB


FRANK A VOLLMER