Verilyn Titus

I was working with my Grandpa during summer break...
I remember him singing 'Cool Clear Water' as the tobacco we did take...
Then came lunchtime and Grandma would send for us...
There was always a good meal at this time we could trust...
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Sometimes it feels like I'm walking on broken glass...
For every step I take makes my pain last...
Knowing you are out there too...
Walking on the same glass hoping it doesn't cut you...
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Calling all Grandparents far and near...
We children with little ones have a message for you to hear...
So that your grandchildren won't feel evaded or discarded for your own purpose...
Give your wisdom and time to us...
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One rainy and foggy night in the Summer of ‘89…
I had a lot of questions about my future and answers still to find…
As to who and where I was supposed to be in this thing called life…
Being a child of God I chose to kneel and pray amidst all the strife.
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Where are my socks...?
Where are my shoes...?
We're going to be late, can't find my keys, and I can't hear the news....
Even in times of chaos they are my greatest joy...
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Each time I visit and see my Mother's face...
It tells the test of time has run its pace...
The lips tell a different story in part...
The fire in her voice is as strong as it was from the start...
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I feel at times I live a life of a mystery unsolved...
Sometimes it feels as if my marriage has been absolved...
All because even after a stroke and the death of my Dad..
People are jealous because I can rock through the good and roll with the bad...
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I'm getting tired of waiting with no response from you...
It's so frustrating and hateful for you to do..
I mean through my actions and words I have showed you time and time again...
How I am an example of a true sister as well as a friend...
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Nothing in life is without risks you know...
Example, loving someone even after they must go...
Into a world full of dangers and risks much of the same...
No one out there to truly connect the truth but plenty placing the blame...
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Will you marry me and be true...
All you have to do is say 'I do'...
I know we've had bad times...
And some happy times too...
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With each poem I write a little piece of me is shared with you...
Hope is to inspire you to use your voice, too...
To break the silence we hold within...
When life gets you down pick up paper and pen...
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Why is it this way when I have errands to run...?
I am alone without family to get the job done...
Not that I don't appreciate you and all you try to do...
It's just from my angle I don't quite understand your view...
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Though Jesus is not of the body...
He knows exactly who we are...
For He created us in his image even though He lives as He reigns from afar...
So, that we may have a choice as He did on that given day...
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Though life goes on for us in every way...
I feel a tremendous loss in my heart today...
For a loved one who meant the world to me...
Because she was not just my Grandmother she was also a friend you see....
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Times are getting harder I know this is true...
But why can't you talk to me about things that bother you...
That has always been a stumbling block for us...
We argue in front of the children instead of discuss...
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Don't put my words away to hide from yourself...
Take them out and read the message as I sit upon this shelf...
That you put me and others on along time ago...
Scared to death of the truth enough to keep us out of the know...
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I want you to take these words and share them well...
But while your doing that be also as willing to tell...
The secrets you hide in our family...
That have not only taunted you..
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A wedding ring can mean something different to each of us...
To me it means a high level of trust...
It should not be taken lightly for it is a responsibility given by God to mankind...Even when the love is regretfully untwined...
Some will scoff at the idea of those who wed...
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Over the years growing up we were told 'blood was thicker than water'...
Which usually meant if family, friends, neighbors were out of order..
We were to be that eye, that ear, that hand...
To build them back up in their down to help them once again stand...
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If it was all a bad dream or a nightmare...
Then why did she go to another time and place to not care..
To never return fully the same..
And still you protect her even when it was us she wanted to defame...
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