Judd

This was for the 'A "Thank You" Poem' Competition

I thank you, for who you were,
The hard-working man always with a fag in hand.
If you were still here,
Our family would still have a sturdy stand.
That once solid collective.
We continued to see you as how you were, they were defiant,
They neglected you.
But you knew it was us being there that was important.

I thank you even now for that.
We would take a walk together most days,
The woods seemed daunting back then.
I asked if there were wolves in that big wood, that was my inquisitive way,
You told me there were,
But you said if I left them alone they would leave me be too.
I remember many things so well.
I remember the smell from your greenhouse, where I’d usually find you,
I’d sit and watch you stare.
When you were in hospital, we would eat all your chocolate,
You never minded,
You liked having us visit you and not treat you as if you were delicate.

You were brave and strong,
Your name tattooed on me to show how I still think of you.
I thank you for the way you influenced me,
Judd, my Granddad, I thank you.