I have 6 grand kids.
4 girls, 2 boys
And they visit me so often
I have grown to adore the noise

Of their shrieks giggles
and splutters
They keep me alive
So I keep them, always, on a great big canvas

But the point is
Once, I was asked
By the eldest, Sophia
What my fondest memory was

And I struggled to answer
In one swift way
I am 87 years old
That makes it difficult to say

Because I have had hundreds,
I am blessed to say
But I simply said ‘It is now, it is you’
And that answer kept her at bay

But truthfully, I was not so
Sure,
I love them endlessly
But to pick this one moment, would make me a fool

As I’ve had so many,
And after thinking it over
I would like to change my answer
To a simple little favour

Which I offered, as a kid
I was 7, or 8
I often forget

I took some bread
And jam, I recall
To a little old man
Sleeping out, on the wall

I didn’t know who he was
Or why he was here
All I saw was a fellow
Who sat wiping tears

And he told me his life
As a thankyou, for the food
An odd gift, I had once though
And, shamefully, I fell into a mood

But I listened, so intently
He told me about war
About death
Love, loss, the terrible, and amazing, things he had saw

The exotic creatures
The mud to his knees
The smells, sounds and flavours
Seemed much more exciting then this simple cup of tea

But he cried
As he told me
So I asked
‘whats wrong’

And he told me
In his head
He had forgotten
The song

That his wife
Used to sing
To make him feel
Okay

He told me
She always
Knew what
To say.

So I held his hand
And told him
‘im sorry’
Because even at the age of 8
I could see, that sleeping on a wall, was not just a hobby

And he laughed
And told me
Its not my fault
He fought for our freedom
This loneliness was just by default

And he expected no money
No prize in return
He had fought for our lives
From his message, I will learn.