GRANDFATHER'S POCKET WATCH

GRANDFATHER’S POCKET WATCH

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A SHOWMAN

HE LIVED THE LIFE

WHEN TIMES WERE GOOD

HE CARRIED A POCKET WATCH

WITH FOB AND CHAIN

AND GAUDY VEST

WHEN TIMES WERE BAD

IT SAT IN A PAWN SHOP

WAITING TO BE REDEEMED

WHEN WE WEREN’T UNEMPLOYED

BUT BETWEEN GIGS

EVENTUALLY THE WATCH WAS MINE

WITH A LETTER THAT SAID

OPEN ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY

MY WIFE WAS SICK

AT WORK THEY WERE CUTTING HOURS

BILLS WERE MOUNTING

NOT ONLY COULD I NOT MAKE ENDS MEET

I COULDN’T SEE THE ENDS

I OPENED THE LETTER

KIDDO IT SAID

IF YOU’RE BROKE

SELL THE WATCH

YOU’RE KEEPING IT FOR A MEMORY

YOU HAVE MORE MEMORIES IN YOUR HEART

MORE VIVID MEMORIES

THAN A WATCH

SELL THE WATCH

I REMEMBER MY GRANDFATHER FONDLY

SOMETIMES HOLES IN HIS SOLES

BUT THE TOP ALWAYS POLISHED

A GIFT FOR THE FUTURE HE SAID

AND WHEN YOU’RE ABLE

DO IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE

SO MANY BLESSINGS

WE CANNOT REPLAY

THEY’RE IN THE PAST

BUT THOSE WHO BLESSED US

WOULD BLESS US FOR THINKING OF OTHERS

GOD’S LOVE IS LIKE THAT WATCH

FRANK A VOLLMER