I have a crazy and unanticipated reaction to show you about one of my lovely
grandmother’s reason and unreason.
This poem saw a first draft in an April 2021 NaPoWriMo challenge. I hope you enjoy
it this time.
'Twas the hottest summer in record years when the thermostat caught our town unawares 'Twas then Gramms forbade I set a foot outdoors where tarred streets sizzled, scalded streetwise soles 'Twas when in my hammock, dressed feet in the air that I happened on Ma. Spider, with the eerie stare 'Twas when the curtains melted mute to the floor that I heard Gramms pounding down the flimsy door 'Twas then the heat and coughing took hold of me ripped my lungs to pieces, brought me to my knees 'Twas just like Gramms to snatch me by the earlobes she don't quiz you nor knows to wait for diagnoses 'Twas not my intent to light the house on fire all's I hoped was for spider to stop rousing my ire 'Twas she, who saved us, got me an air-blower once she boxed my ear and dumped my top in the pissoir 'Tis Gramms I remember most fondly of all her reason and unreason-- 'tis gramms, 'tis gramms © 2023 selmamartin.com
Written for dVerse, where Sarah is hosting and asks us to write something about
our grandmothers.
I had the privilege of getting to know my two Grandmamas. They were no-nonsense
ladies who I know loved me immensely. And I them. They both died at the advanced
age of 96. Thankfully, after meeting my husband and boys.
This year, Ami would have been 115 and Ala 110. R.I.P. my sweet abuelitas.
Ami, my paternal grandmother, would be today’s protagonist of the tad-bit
exaggerated creative non-fiction story/poem.
Thanks for reading.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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I LOVE the wonderful photo up top! Really enjoyed your poem and your gramm’s heroic rescue. Had to smile at the boxed ears.
A great photo I liked as well. 👏
And about that boxed ear 🤣 that’s the way it was back then.
But then she bought me an air-blower (an old word for a fan) … 😂 She was nice, you see. I just needed to remember that lesson.
I don’t mind it that you laughed. I laugh too. 🤭 thanks so much for reading. XoXo
She sounds like quite the character, Selma!
My father’s mother was quite the character. Xoxo
I love learning about Grandmothers, as was not fortunate to grow with any f mine! <3
Sad to know. I would have shared 💐
Thanks for commenting my sweet, Annette. XoXo
Nice report on your experience with your grandma. I’m taking it as you are the writer as telling. Your “tarred streets sizzled” caught my eye as I am very sensitive of the dog walkers walking on the hot cement sidewalks. “Hey you, get you dog in the grass and off the hot!!”
My mom would have been 112 this July, she died at 88. Dad lived to be 97. My grandmother lived to be 96. This is on Dad’s side, I don’t know right off Mom’s side info grandmother info. To me, Grandma there was a step- mom, her mother died when Mom was seven. (Died of the flu, 1917, Mom brought it home from school.)
..
resending, as it didn’t make it to your inbox as I’d intended. Thanks for your lovely thoughts:
You’re sweet for sharing that with me, my friend, Jim. Bless your kind heart about the dogs. Have a great week and a great new month, my friend. xoxo
What a heartwarming story, beautifully told in verse! Selma, your Gramms was certainly a strong woman, but kind and loving. My strong, loving Grandma, though she never hit me, was pretty outspoken! I feel very fortunate to have known her.
Boxed my ear for starting a fire! The only time she did that! I guess she was more scared than me 😱
And then She bought me a Fan 😂
Thanks so dearly for engaging with me. I bless you. XoXo
She must have been horrified! Great story, lots of pace.
Grandma must have been horrified about that fire– yes, I bet she was indeed. Thanks for the great prompt. Blessings to you.
Such a lively story… both my grandmothers are dead since long ago…
Sorry to know your grandmothers have been gone that long. I bet they’re looking down at you though. Yay.
A n d, especially today, your birthday (I just heard)!! Yay, again. Birthdays are fun events. Bless you and wish you many more. Thanks for reading my piece. Have a fantastic new year around the sun. xoxo
Love the picture. I like. I remembered my grandmother.
Wonderful world use in. You have to so love feeling your grandmother.
What a heartwarming story.
Thanks, Raj– Grandmothers are the best. Thanks for reading. xo
You’re sweet for sharing that with me, my friend, Jim. Bless your kind heart about the dogs.
How blessed you all were to be together for so long. What a blessing.
Thanks for your support, my friend. Blessing you again. #2
♥️♥️😍
Oh this is a delight and brought back memories of my own grandmother so dear to my heart Selma! 💗
Thanks, dear Cindy. Grandmas are the best. I wish everyone A grandmother. 👏
She seems like quite the character. An excellent story!
So pleased you read. Thanks. I bless you.
Heartwarming and beautifully expressed. 💕Grandparents are precious indeed.
I always remember my grandparents with a smile on my face.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.