Grandpa Ratcliffe

When I was young to visit Grandpa meant to swim and to play.
And we would drive that silly golf cart up and down the way.

I remember always sunshine and palm trees everywhere.
But I also remember sunburn and heat rash everywhere.
My virgin skin was never prepared.

Trips to the beach and sand castles made.
That Californian coast would excite me for days.

Drives to the play land full of characatuers
It was surely meaning well, but gave me total nightmares.

He would drive the lincoln to and from the shops.
While I would lay sleeping behind Grandpops.

When I had matured, to visit Grandpa meant to laugh and to drink.
And that is where I discovered Gin and Tonic was my thing.

It meant beaching and swimming all on my own.
And arriving for cocktails before the sun went down.

Stories of his travel and days when his kids were young.
And poems he wrote, I see where I got it from.

My grandfather sit still while his voice loud and strong.
He always enjoyed having us around.

Now Grandpa not sit, nor do he lay
For we will not see Grandpa another day.

But sometime I'll cross the path as he did.
And that is when I'll visit Grandpa again.