Grandpa,
lean this way
for just a moment,
I want to tell you
a secret.
That's right,
incline your head
as you've done
these past few years
since your hearing started
going dull on you,
put on that toothless smile,
put your arm around me
so far it touches
Uncle Adolph's arm.
I haven't smiled like this
since you can't remember when,
and the three of us look
like we belong together
not like Rae, Mom
and Uncle Henry sitting
erect beside us.
Don't tell anyone
but Uncle Adolph's been talking
about his painting
making me understand
for the first time
an artist doesn't have
to be alone. Too bad
he lives 3000 miles away,
but I'm going there,
he's invited me.
You knew all along, didn't you?
you planned it so he and I
would sit between you and Rae
and so he and Rae would sit
between me and my mother.
