Grandpa never had any kids of his own
He was a bachelor most of his life
Grandma had been married often
Four times but whose keeping count
he married her and took her for his wife
Most of his day was going to work
It was the war years he was building ships
and at the end of a long day coming home
He was teased and taunted as the old Communist
You see it was helping others he could not resist
In the family pantry were all the days needs.
But always there was extra for night visitors
Extra sugar, extra flower, extra baby clothes?
Grandma kept a ledger--a dozen eggs, Chinn family,
and flower, and diapers, oil for the Calvins
I inherited the list over thirty names
Most of those who came did not speak English
We were at war with the Germans, the Japaneze
Grandpa was at war with no man on earth
They were human beings in need and none paid back
Not a communist a card carrying Socialist
Mom had to work she took us daily to Grandpa's
This man with no children loved us to death
When he had his fatal heart attack Sis was on his lap
I wasn't there for Grandpa's funeral I was in Korea
The Airforce screened my letters so I would not know
Four months later Grandma in a X-mas letter said,
"When your Grandpa died--Grandpa was a Socialist"
I am a good Grandpa today but can never be the best
And to help the poor I proudly say he was a Socialist
The word to him meant we help our sisters and brothers
and ask no questions why they need the help
But don't come to his door if not willing to help yourself