Grandpa crafted me a trellis,
thus many neighbors were jealous
of the tall, green plants climbing
higher than the picket fence.

Dad taught me how to improvise
and this talent let me devise
techniques of speech to trick
my classmates with “I digress,”

confusing them.  But I learned quick,
clever moves to draft a rubric
which taught everyone a free lesson
and gave me the right to decree

a day of silly games a week
for each student’s winning critique
of another’s literary
gift hidden in the library stacks.

Grandpa never went to high school,
and from my dad I hope that you’ll
find in me a bit of humor,
at least please omit the guilt trip!


© Lewis Bosworth, 11/2016