“Grandpa Nies” By Matt Hubert © 2007

My life wore thin,
but you carried
me from my bed
to my chair. You
cared for me. You
were there for me.

I was never
a man of words,
but of action—
fixed cars,
drove a gas truck,
worked on trains.

I could not stay,
but I will never let go.
You made
this man of action
live again in words
you fashioned.

I was so proud
as I listened down.
You touched the crowd
that knew me best.
And with that final gesture,
I felt my life was blessed.

I was a family
man. I was a handy
man. I was a faithful
man. I was a funny
man. I was a family.
Damn.