This was my third entry for the workshops in my creative writing class last semester. It is a poem about my grandfather, and the memories that I have of him. For those who do not have da or watch me on da or have not read my previous journal entries there, my grandfather passed away in July.

In memory of:
Francis J. Hartford
1918 - 2012

Please do not use this poem or post it anywhere else without my permission. Thank you.

You live on

You were always there,

A happy smile to welcome us,

Even as your memory faded

You continued to smile and support,

You were my inspiration,

my guide and foundation.

You gave me a love for many things,

Art, music and especially trains.

I still remember the sound they made,

the walks we took to the tracks.

I remember the people that would wave

Calling your name as you looked back.

Running up the stairs to listen to you

play your accordion,

and the times we played with the piano,

Grandma scolded us.

Seeing your art and model ships,

with the awe-filled look of a child.

The faithful reproductions,

both from your memory and from pictures.

These are memories that I will never take back,

Even now that you are gone.

I know that you still live on.

I love you, Grandpa.