Grandma Poem by Gert Strydom

When you died
it was as if I lost,
my whole family.

All other relations,
but my mother
and brother faded
away into oblivion,
at your grave, Grandmamma.

Maybe it was that you
was the only one of them,
that really cared for me
and that they valued things
above and beyond integrity.

At times destiny strikes the clock
and death takes her own,
but I was far away at University
and although our relationship
was great and special
there was no last goodbye.

Every one but I,
got a last blessing from you
and still I wonder
what your last words
would have been.

At times I wonder
if you would smile,
at the mistakes that I make
and at times
be proud to know my name.