Poems for Lily

In 2018, I began recording little poems to my grandmother via the voice memo function on my iPhone (not for her, but about her and me). I just transcribed them today. She told me close to the end of her life that having adventures and traveling is important. That I should go while I still could. That she regretted not doing it for herself. She also revealed herself as a person who would vote for a woman President. Lots of topics came tumbling out around that time.

People have told me again and again that I look just like her (the barrage of comments to that effect at her funeral was overwhelming). We have other similarities, but I won’t get into those.

I don’t think she showed herself fully to anyone. Still, I’ve always maintained that if we were the same age and given the same chances, I would see even more of myself in her.


Bucket List

You look at me with that look in your eyes

Telling me I've got to travel before I die


You died inside

You died inside


I will do what you say

I will run, run away

I will do what you say

So you can live


That's a gift, I guess


With your words on my lips

I build my travel list


Companion

You didn’t waste away

Inside four walls

I have taken you with me

Across it all


Maps and time mean nothing

When it comes to you and me

We're the same person

Just in a different century


I'm sorry I was born later

I'm sorry you had less

But I’d never let it stay that way

Your heart beats ever in my chest