James and Maggie
1943

HAIKU FOR GRANDFATHER

1.
Since you died
I’ve never heard anyone proclaim
“Well John Brown!”

2.

You could sing
almost as good as Hank Williams
which is saying a lot. 

3.

There are watery graves
and a town down there
because of your calloused hands.

4.

Ten thousand cigarettes
touched your lips
but never a poem. 

5.

The magnolia is gone
where you loved to drink Old Milwaukee.   
And so are you.

6.

There were clouds
in your sky
even on a sunny day.

7.

Three sons volunteered for Vietnam
to escape your madness.
The rest weren’t old enough.

8.

Escaping your madness
Haight-Ashbury adopted my Mother.
Now she’s a saint.
9.
From whiskey and work
you lived hard
and died harder.
10.
My first hero you were
and still are,
even though you shouldn’t be.