Elegy

This prompt hits home rather hard. Three of my grandparents passed away last year. This elegy is for my grandpa, George, who passed away first. It was a horrible shock to the whole family, but he lives on in my heart and mind with much, much love.

*Takes a deep breath...

George

 Your walking stick

Does not replace you,

Does not bring us comfort,

Though you threatened to hit

Anyone who'd hurt us with it

Your hat

Does not suit

Or fit anyone else

Though we'd prefer to see it

Again on you anyway

Your booming voice,

Your shaking shoulders

As you'd chuckle to yourself

Can still be heard across the months

That you've not been here

I miss your interruptions

And your phone calls

To help you with an email

I miss typing your illegible scribbles

And filling in your missing punctuation

Most of all, I miss you

Calling me from across your flat

"Annie, my girl, come here!"

And your long-winded stories

About how you knew everyone

(which you indeed did!)

And how you listened

You really, really listened

You made us French toast

And vetkoek 

And the best onion rings ever

I miss your profound wisdom

And your sharp humour

I miss your interest in me

I loved your garden

I still love you

You did your best

And gave your all

We are blessed

And yet we're empty without you 

Andrea Vermaak

(I have to stop now before I become dehydrated from crying too much. This is one of the most difficult poems I've ever written.)