For My Grandfather

I remember...we solved puzzles together,

And built hydraulics from a science kit,

With 1.5'' tubes we created a miniature model,

We pulled the levers back and forth,

And colored the water a crimson red,

So we could see it better as it traveled throughout our creation,

It stained our tablecloth and took forever to wash out,

And afterwards we read a children's book,

On how hydraulics work,

But after two minutes you sat the book down,

And explained it to me yourself,

You taught me so many things in time we spent together,

We brought it up to show my mom,

Took our time on the stairs,

But you never told me you were dying.

I wanted the chance to say goodbye.

for my grandfather

Will Mathews 1944-2015