Grell Poem by Greg Gaul

when I was this many
you can't count the thumb
I had this soft friend
a horsey, all felt and tan
about the size of a piece of toast
but with legs
I could sleep with it
up close to my face
and curl up to be safe
I called it Grell
my parents never could
figure out why
they talked about it a lot
and giggly smiled
I always wanted Grell with me
at my nap
in the car
when I was afraid

Sammy's dad had to leave forever
and Sammy from next door
would never see him again
he cried, we both did
I gave him Grell
so he wouldn't be sad at night
it was all I had
I missed Grell
then, when I was
this many and
this one over here
Sammy's family moved
I thought Grell was gone forever

much later, when I was big
I heard Sammy died in the war
about then, I was packing my things
and my mom gave me a box
of old stuff when I was
you know, really little
stuck in the corner at the bottom
faded and dusty was Grell
I picked it up softly
I think Grell was sad
and put it in my suit pocket
later that day, I went to
Sammy's memorial in the city
I saw his mom
I gave her Grell for Sammy
she said she'd give it to him
it was the right thing to do
Sammy will be happy now
and so will Grell