The Ballad of Grandpa's Guitar

The Ballad of Grandpa's Guitar It was just a guitar But oh...how he played First he'd tune...then he'd strum The foundation he laid for the music to come from the soul of the man as I sat by his side... as I watched his great hands. Hands that had toiled and worked all his days Hands large and strong and wise in the ways of a small girl who worshiped the man ten-foot-tall Of a small girl who listened to his music with awe. We'd sit on the bench the guitar 'cross his lap I'd hide my small yawn when 'twas time for my nap... And from somewhere within the heart of the man The music would start from those gentle hands. He'd play a short tune... a warm-up, I think... Then I'd smile and I'd wait and I'd look up and blink.. ''More Grandpa...play more'' And he'd smile and look down... And from somewhere within There would come a low sound. His hands stroked the magic from that old guitar And his voice, soft and raspy A song would bring forth For a small, sleepy girl Who sat by his side Who listened in awe To her Grandpa...with pride. Many years later When we laid him to rest Those strong hands, now stilled Folded 'cross his chest And the small girl - then grown Knew of only one thing The guitar and its memories and the love it could bring. The family...they asked Why is it you want That beat-up old Martin? It's good for naught... The small girl - now grown Just smiled at their pose For the family was blind To the love that arose. I look in the corner this day...and I smile at the battered old Martin propped 'gainst the wall... With a hole in its pickguard And a scar on its side... And a sound like no other From the love left inside. And I sit on my bench With it laid 'cross my lap The small girl - now grown Still needing a nap... And I tune...and I strum... And from somewhere within Comes the music of Grandpa And the comfort it brings. It is just a guitar All battered and scarred With Black Diamond strings And a broken pickguard... But I play and I sing And I close tight my eyes... And I swear I hear Grandpa And he's right by my side. Written November 1st, 1998 © on Nov 18 2001 04:08 AM PST   18 • 0 • 8