Grandad: Or, That Man in the Photo

By Lafayette Wattles

I used to make up
stories how he lost
his fingers in the war
returning grenades,
or conquering
mountains with
dynamite, or,
showing a softer side,
saving wounded
wolves from traps
when one bit back,
took them
a knuckle at a time.
I never guessed
it was to win
a girl, throwing fire-
sticks in July,
and losing track
which ones were lit.

 

Published January 2008