harold

chadwick

so grandpa
i have your trench knife
you know it well
i am sorry mankind gives out pain & suffering to one another
but now you can spread your wings
not moaning, groaning
sleeping tossing & turning in the thick fight

i am sorry humanity destroys this world
flesh rotting in the sun
decay... just no
just no more screaming
please for the end to crawl inside

i would like you to know (i know you know anyway)
i'm planting flowers with your knife
so far they're yellow like liquid sunshine or little kind bright marbles
i dig a little hole
the steel & leather are at home somehow
it feels like it's healing itself in my hands
it is beautiful touching dirt on your blade
i will not forget it is not yours where you found it died

those dark nights dying
horrorific to be human
crawling up treches
lead burning down their time
hand to hand death in each others' arms

but i promise i'll keep planting life colors
i'll continue this celebration
my greatest
my greatest

i'll remember blood's doom
keep moving forward
this is death's strength
but we gotta hold it together
for the fuckers screaming into their tombs
simple headstones

i am sorry
goodnight, grandpa

hedonist

What a nice tribute to your grandfather...he sounds like a fine man.

the wolf

Very cool Sir chadwick.

chadwick

thanks, folks
that knife means the world to me

TalonTedd

What a beautiful tribute to your Grand Dad.
Mine is on his deathbed. Yesterday I sat by his side and thanked him for all he did for his family. He gripped my hand and fought to speak. I told him stories of the things he taught me. I am so grateful to have expressed my feelings and for him to be cognoscente of my love. I had my two youngster stand with me as I told them that my Nono was a great man, look upon him and remember. I will tell them the stories of his greatness.
Thank you for sharing the story of your Grandfather's greatness.


all the crooked missing hearts. They may die but in us they live on

chadwick

thank you, sir
may your family be well & your grand dad remembered
i'd like to read about your grandfather & his greatness someday
please share this with us when you get around to it

TalonTedd

I will. This weekend.

TalonTedd

What makes a man great?
Well, there are many different levels and categories for that. In my grandfather's case, I would have to say it was his focus and dedication to his family and his role as a provider. He immigrated from Italy after surviving combat and capture in WW2. His Wife and my mother had to wait 3 years to join him in Toronto Canada. He worked hard to earn a living in construction and welding. He bought properties to live, rent out, flip and even grow produce and raise chickens and rabbits for the table. I guess I should preface all this by saying he was from a poor Sicilian family and from what I'm told, he went to sleep hungry on many occasions. He would never be found spending time at coffee shops (tratorias) playing cards or generally wasting time. He was grateful for the opportunities a country like Canada had for him and he worked hard to build some security for his family. He wasn't educated and could be very stern and abrupt with his children. They all (3) made good lives for themselves so I guess he wasn't to malicious in discipline (I will never scold my kids). But that's the old school. So, I guess he is great to me because he raised his family as best as a poor boy from Sicily with no education could be expected. Now he is able to have his dying wishes granted. At the age of 92; He will die warm in his own bed, in the house he and I built together( worth over 2 million now) family beside him lachrymose, with a generous inheritance for his children to receive. I am proud, glad and relieved to know his blood is in my veins. Strains of the garlic, tomatoes, beans, raspberries and other edibles he grew, grow in my garden today. I told him they will grow in my garden and my children's gardens and that his work will go on and he will live on in us. I think that means a lot to him.
More could be said...but when is a story ever fully told?

In joyous part.

Happy Canada Day!

hedonist

Stories, histories like this - well, the good ones like this - never end (thankfully).

The saying goes "the sins of the father...", but it's also, and more importantly I think, their virtues.

This was just beautiful, Mr. Talon. Thank you.

chadwick

a strong hard working man. us younger folks can learn a thing or two from these tough old-timers
well done, sir. thank you for writing this out & sharing with us

TalonTedd

Thank you gentlemen. Joe Trapani is tough as nails. He holds on still....one tough son of a ......

TalonTedd

Joe Passed away peacefully on July 7, 2014 RIP. he will be remembered.....My wife made an interesting observation regarding the numerology of that day and the one and only tattoo my mother has. Twenty years ago (probably in the grip of a mid-life crisis) Mom had a triple flaming seven inked on her upper arm. Like the 777 on a slot machine. So July=7 + 7th day + (2+0+1+4)=7, so 777 was foreshadowed in a defiant act of ink by his eldest daughter, whom incidentally cared for him these many years. Up until she began her own recent battle with cancer. It makes me wonder about free will versus destiny. Are we merely actors in a play?

If there is an afterlife I hope its Valhalla. Joe and Harold can share old stories of there life's glories and horrors and drink together in everlasting comfort.

In joyous part

chadwick

that is something else. i am thinking about you & your family. RIP, Joe. i'll try & think up some other things to say. be well, sir

hedonist

Here's to a life well-lived and a family well-loved.

Keep tilling that garden, Ted.