Oh My Grandpa...

By Tejas Simon Thomas

I cried the day you died, but I only saw a smile.
As I watched you being carried away, I wished for just another day.
With you were the sweets that I longed so dearly,
With you was the laughter that I found so endearing.
My young brown eyes could not comprehend a feeling so grim
But aren’t we all grieving?

I wore my favorite white shirt and an old pair of black jeans that day.
As I made my way down the stairs, all I saw was grey.
One hundred disheveled heads turned as I made my way.
A feeling that haunts me to this very day.

Many came to show respect to a loved one,
Many more for a reason I don’t know.
Some came to me with food and toys,
But I wasn’t ready to be consoled.

As dawn came, everything seemed bright,
Against something so blight.
His angel-like appearance and the shining casket
Gave me an unfamiliar sense of ease.
As I looked into his warm eyes, I did not heed his cold basket.

As beautiful as he looked, my eyes wandered to the flowers beside.
I placed the last white one on his chest, and all I heard was silence.
As the casket closed, I shed my last tear
Because after grief comes acceptance.