{The Pointy Finger - a tribute to my grandmother}

{by Katra Winner}

~*~*~

The pointy finger moves...

"Could you do me a BIG favor...?" a creaky voice whines

I sigh loudly, letting her know how annoyed I am

The clouds glow, the sun shines.

Now she's in the hospital

All these dripping chords in her wrist

Tears dribble down my cheek

It's like I'm walking through a teary mist.

She moves to comatose....

The doctors ready to give up

"You promised," I sob. "You liar."

Her feeble hand in mine I cup.

Now she's in a hospice

They say she won't live

Their voices drone together

"She has all there is to give."

And now they're calling Dad

Saying that she's gone

Once more, my cheeks are wet

This has gone on far too long.

Now we're making funeral plans

And the tears just won't stop

I have to help organize it

I feel I'm going to drop.

Our prayers were answered once

But once was just not enough

Still, she died, she's gone

It's tough.

So here I am now,

Typing up this poem.

Into this tiny .txt I fit

The love my Gramma was shown.

We'll always remember her -

She'll have one hell of a wake.

A wake? An Irish funeral.

Happy, merry we shall make.

But what will I remember most?

Her sarcasm, or her wit?

Her bravery, her love for us,

Or maybe her will to not quit.

One thing is for sure -

A memory that will forever linger

One that will make us laugh and cry

Her pointy crooked finger.

Her finger? A symbol of her need.

She always asked, with a point and jab.

Annoying, but endearing.

It made us all so mad.

But did it really?

She needed us so badly.

We were a little resentful -

But she wouldn't want us to feel sadly.

No.

She loves us.

But we will always remember...

I know, we will - we must.

~*~*~

This is a very emotional piece. My grandmother died on December 2nd, 2001. I needed to write this. I had to.

The pointy finger is what we'll remember. She always said "Could you do me a BIG favor?" and pointed her finger. We teased
her for it, but it was all in good fun.

I hope you enjoy this.

God bless my granmother....Gramma Joan.

-Katra Winner