Red and gold lantana blooms
Crab grass prickles bare feet
Avocado tree and hazy purple hills
–
Vista from the hot tub
Water warmed by parabolic mirror
One of many inventions
–
Ideas, plans, musings
Gadget bursting garage
Dreams half-formed, many yet to come
–
Fragrant cedar chips
Dancing branches of eucalyptus shadows
Strawberry haven for the grandkids
–
Cousins, aunties, siblings, clan
Catalina Island, saltwater shore
Sun-baked hikes, laughter and swimming
Funded by a quiet donor: You
–
Family and faith were worth it.
–
Triangles of metal
Form a dome against the sky
Sand play and make-believe
Golden days
–
Sacred, priceless life
Worth defending at high cost
Babies and children
Held your heart captive
–
Watermelon afternoons
Green-painted wooden steps
Secret door ringed with ivy leaves
Fountain circled by umbrella plants
–
Mandarin characters on water-logged pages
Glimpse the wonders of the world
That twinkling grin
Test your new vocabulary
On anyone who will listen
–
Wrinkled surgeon’s hands
Thick lenses on eyeglasses
Elaborate dinnertime prayers
A painting of bread and wine in a cup of gold
–
Flapping stripes of red and white
Stars sprinkle a field of blue
Proud and patriotic
Songs from your deepest heart
–
A soldier served, survived, strengthened
The war gave you back and you gave us
Your legacy of life
Family and healing
So many grandchildren to know and love
You didn’t waste what you had
–
Doctor’s skill and father’s heart
Scientist seeking a better way
To heal wounds on human flesh
–
Both body and soul
Hunger for healing
Grace and love are medicines, too
–
Stories of Jesus
The Lord was practical to you
Like ointment, stitches, or skin grafts
–
You danced on the ridge of sand dunes
Rode a waterslide cheering into a lake
Savored a sweet tooth for chocolate
Love for color and beauty
–
A burning need: Make the world better
And you did.
Grandpa, you did it.
In Memory of
William Dean Davies
1927-2023
