Holding On

Some pictures taken last Summer at Nanny Ruth and Papaw Cecil's place.

Papaw...

I took your hand

this last time

and it seemed soft, frail...

But you held tight.

and I held on

to you.

Remembering a Summer day when

I was ten

(As she is now, my Katie Beth)

And you

You were a giant in the hay field then.

We walked together

My small hand in

your brown, leathery, work-calloused one.

I felt all the world was right

That day.

I smiled up at you and chattered on

a magpie of a girl

Sturdy and tan and sure

of you.

And now

It is another day.

Your hand is weak and pale and cool

Your words are rising up to me as mine

rose up to you that day -father of my mother

Giant of my heart.

Though now you are small and fragile

And you are whispering goodbye.

I am holding on.