My grandmother passed
In the Summer of my fifth year
I remember getting the news
In the lobby of a hotel.
We drove straight home
As fast as our wheels would turn
So that we could make
The funeral.
I only remember bits
Of knowing her
Her recliner in the den
Her smile when we saw her.
But what I remember best
Is the day she was put
Six feet under
And set to rest.
I was wearing my wine colored
Velvety dress
The room was decorated in dark colors
Or that's how I remember it.
I was old enough to understand
What death was
And all I could do at the visitation
Was cry and cry and cry.
My sister wasn't old enough
To understand yet
But I could tell
She felt the sadness as well.
We stood by the door of the
Viewing room
As I sobbed with my parents
Standing by me.
My aunt on my family's other side
Came and whisked my sister
And I away
Before the real funeral started.
My parents came for us
A few hours later
A dark cloud hanging about them
And tears in their eyes.
I do not remember much
Of my grandmother that passed
But I hope that the fact
That I choke up when I think about her
Sometimes
That it means
That I remember enough.
