one’s personal history
is collection of stories;
some you live through,
others you listen to
but all family stories
are part of our metal,
hammered and shaped
by past into present…
townspeople reckon
village blacksmith as
skilled craftsman and
“real good worker” but
self-respect can slide
like hot iron horseshoe
when own brood of
children run barefoot.
villagers whisper
behind callous hands
“it’s a real shame”
he drinks too much,
(and too often) so when
smithy dies penniless,
they bury him in back
corner of town cemetery.
lone unmarked grave
swallowed by prairie sod
yet remembered by God
and my grandpa, who
(as re-told by my father)
later paid for a small flat
stone to honor passing
of a hard-wrought life.
a poem in my pocket 
Jun 26, 2015 @ 05:33:19
Ha, it took me to a similar place.
Jun 26, 2015 @ 02:25:30
this is really touching… it breaks my heart to see unmarked graves.
Jun 26, 2015 @ 07:58:12
Indeed, Anthony. Least we can do is pay respect.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 23:43:02
Oh yes. A headstone what a great way to bring your ancestor back to life and give him back some dignity.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 22:51:53
how very nice of your grandpa to give him back some dignity…
Jun 25, 2015 @ 21:49:15
Ah.. walk with shoes of town crier.. black smith blues..
village idioms of delight.. oh.. to know.. to feel..
the shoes of old.. that feel no pain..
hmm.. to smile with eyes
of free that
only
know
heal..
and nice to hear
Lynn with two
N’s.. as Lynn is
my best friend
from high school..
and we tie at number
11.. in school smarts
too.. hmm.. i miss Lynn..
funny how memories of
Love can come back too..
and no that can’t be you..
as her last name is Wood..
smiles.. with her minister husband..:)
Jun 25, 2015 @ 21:39:22
Your grandfather realized that no one’s life should be unmarked. What a moving poem!
Jun 25, 2015 @ 22:05:40
Glad it moved you, Mary; thanks!
Jun 25, 2015 @ 21:32:46
The world needs more people like your grandfather, people who can see beyond the faults of one man and see him as another fellow human being. A great poem!
Jun 25, 2015 @ 22:04:13
Yes, Gabriella, i wish there were more like him 🙂
Jun 25, 2015 @ 21:00:31
Often the most heroic people in this world aren’t given their worth’s due.. but remember that honor shall be bestowed to each in the life Hereafter.
Beautifully penned 🙂
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Jun 25, 2015 @ 22:01:53
Thank you for your comment, Sanaa!
Jun 25, 2015 @ 20:25:07
I am glad your grandfather found worth in him. I am sure we all have skeletons in our closet that people will whisper about, or could. Seems the most humble often are the ones that are villainizes for never rising above. And you know, I doubt he ever had a thought to.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 22:03:23
So true, X. Best not to worry what others say behind their hands.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 03:14:57
Wow, that hits the heart hard.
Jun 25, 2015 @ 20:11:26
Thanks for reading, Dell. I added first stanza now…
Jun 25, 2015 @ 21:01:36
Ahhh.