Papow

I wrote this for my grandfather as he delt with senile dementia.

I know a man who was bigger than life,
Killed a ten point buck with an old pen knife.

Caught a great big marlin from the middle of the sea,
In a little row boat and a cane pole on his knee.

Tear an engine down and rebuild it by lunch,
Send a man to glory with the power of his punch.

I've seen him charm the birds and squirrels right down from the trees,
And bare handed take honey from a hive of wild bees.

Throw a handful of seeds in the middle of the street,
Grow enough beans the whole world could eat.

This man stood about ten feet tall,
If he couldn't do it , it couldn't be done at all.

This man was the greatest, I thought he was the best.
I was sure he had a great big "S" emblazoned on his chest.

Now that he is older people see him weak and frail,
If you ask me about him , the hero stories are what I'll tell.

For though body and mind are weak and worn, I know deep inside it all,
Beats the heart of the giant man....Inside is my papow.


In loving memory of James F. Whitten