Remembering a long ago, fading time,
I see this little lad, standing
in this giant man's long cast shadow.
The old man, my grandpa, would sit
tall on a stump, as though
he was part of the bark's rough bump,
long legs crossed... the toe of his boot
nearly touching the ground.
With a twinkle in his eye,
he'd look at me face-to-face
and start his tellin' me that life was not
an easy thing, it takes demanding work!
Then he would reach in his pocket,
and grab his watch, dangling from a long
gold chain, with a grin and a drop of his head
would continue and say,
"Life, it is like this watch,"
"I have to do my part to have the hands
go round and round."
As he would talk, he would take the stem
'tween finger and thumb
twisting the stem until it was taut,
then place the watch in his pocket again.
With that move, he would look
me straight in the eye
and say, "If life sets you in a spin,
and you feel uncertain,
just tighten up your chin
and retake a run at life."
On my graduation day, my grandpa
handed me a newspaper-wrapped box.
Held within, was his most treasured possession,
his retirement watch.
Now, when I sit with my grandchildren and listen,
Slowly, I pull out his Hamilton Railway Special,
and with stem 'tween finger and thumb,
wind the stem until it is taut.
Being quite proud of each of them,
I'll nod my head with a twinkle in my eye,
and begin telling them the lessons I was taught.
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