For Grandad

For Grandad


Can I see you?
Your life flashing before my eyes,
Through vacant, aged pupils.
Wide, old eyes revealing a dreamy 6-year old
Staring up at the stars.
Have all your dreams and hopes led you to this hospital bed.
Can all your life’s work and achievements be stopped
By a misplaced drop of blood
And bring us to this.
My third hand memory of your time on this earth,
Your frightened eyes scrambling to communicate
Into mine.
I want to see.
To look at the water and see the ocean.
I will remember
And my experience of you will look longingly into my grandchild’s eyes.