Poem for Jenny

Went to visit Jenny
gave her a nice warm hug
we sat and talked
her throat was better
her patio door was open
so swallows
could send their cries
into the living room
a soiree of summer song
to make my mind sing and dance
to the tune
of childhood memories

She showed me her ever growing garden
and
spoke about
Geraniums, Chrysanthemums, Begonias
she put her arm around my waist
and told me
that I need to be taught
the way of the flowers

We spoke about my impending
departure
to foreign lands
she’s happy for me
but
I know inside she’s also sad
one more bird
leaving the nest
one more cross on her list
of visitors
becoming less and less

I kissed her softly on the cheek
waved as we drove away
shouted “goodbye”
to a grey head
above hunched shoulders

I hoped I’d see her
many more times
and that we would talk
in the fading light
of many more
summer nights

A lucky boy I am
to have had
such
a
fine
Gran