i was once told
that my grandmother lived in the
dinosaur age
so i brought her to "show & tell"
in my first grade class
i watched her in the pizza hut buffet
take pieces of pizza
wrap them in napkins
put them in her over-sized purse
for later she would say
and the only spanking
i remember, from my grandmother
was when at age 11
i had finally grown taller then her
and i laugh
as it is
god's favorite music
and she taught me that
the vastness of her
strength
are the pillars that i stand upon
generations
upon
generations
upon
legacies
patiently sewing foundations
where i gather my own strength
taken in by her vibrance and enthusiasm
that swallows the sun
siphoning from the brightness
my own carefree soul
i flock to her
as children to a dream
with an easy guidance
i learn
as i begin to teach
balancing my own feet
with flaying generosity
passionate kindness
and feverish intelligence
while i remember
the journeys of my past
and rise to meet the passages of my future
and when i listen - closely
in my words
i see my family's faces
her face
coming forth
spinning a web of wisdom
i use as my shelter
and carry in my hands
opening wide
melting into each human being i touch
as each year
rears
down on me
i keep her voice
and speak with it
i grasp her spirit
and fly with it
i hold her love
and wrap myself in it
i laugh
as it is god's favorite music
and she taught me that
Copyright Tara Sheth
1999
