The flames from the coal fire
drew pictures across the ceiling,
I
was held spellbound but earthbound by the stories
which grandfather told,
tales of pirates,lost gold and the Raja's from India,
tigers and paintings like I'd never seen
which danced in the dreams that I took
with me to bed.

He said to me,
'lead or be led
be one of the flock or the head
the choice is within you.
Grandad was wise and I supposed that he
knew almost everything about everything,
he'd been everywhere where there was anything
to see
or so he told me.

Grandad, dad's dad went away
left me sad
but dad said,
'don't fret
he's still with us'
and yet
I don't see him.