Never A Word

Never a word, did this man speak;

after going out, on a day so bleak.

Out on the ice, for some fishing he goes;

But the ice gave through, and he almost froze.

Flooded in horror, and screaming in fear;

Hoping that someone, around him would hear.

Pulled from the water, he lived on that day.

But Oh, what a hefty price to pay.

For never again, would his voice ring true;

and at times, I could see, that this made him blue.

The screams that saved him from death, no doubt.

Ruptured the tissue, where his voice came out.

I would sit in his lap, when young, and would stare;

at the tube in his neck, in through which he drew air.

Stories from his childhood, I would never grow to know;

For speaking that long, was too hard, and would show.

His hisses and grunts did not bother me;

but for strangers, it seemed, they just wanted to flee.

But nevertheless, we talked all the same;

and sometimes even made it into a game.

The things that he said, came so clear and bright;

when heard, not through ears, but while using my sight.

From a glowing smile, to a playful little wink;

or a stubble coated kiss, he would plant on my cheek.

His calloused hands, that could tear you apart;

were as soft as lace, when held near to his heart.

As I think about this and my eyes start to tear;

I realize, so few people, were ever so dear.

Words can be cheap from a heart thats not true;

and often what you hear, doesn't matter to you.

This man is now gone, he has passed away;

His angel friends took him to heaven to play.

I still look, to this day, at the sky up above;

wondering if that breeze, just might be a hug.

Or that itch on my neck, that I just had to scratch;

was a stubble riddled peck, brought back from the past.

Through out the day, doing whatever I do;

with never a word Grandpa, know I still love you!!

Author: Douglas Q. Plew

In Loving Memory of my Grandpa

Estry Jay Mains

This accident happened in the 1940's, My
mother like myself never heard his true voice.

December 31, 1917--March 25, 1993

As He Rests In Peace, He Is Remembered