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 Contemporary poetry by Dan Donlan

HOW OLD IS GRANDPA?

By Dan Donlan, www.PoetryPoem.com/dandy1    Unlock all Features - Upgrade to Poetry Prime

The poetry I post most often is mine.
"How Old is Grandpa?" exception borrowed. This has been around a while.
I could only wish I wrote it. Bring back the fifties. Such reality:

One evening a Grandson was talking to his Grandfather about current events
The Grandson asked his grandfather what he thought of shootings in schools,
the computer age, things in general.

The Grandfather replied:
"Well let me think a minute. My day there was no television."
penicillin
Polio shots
frozen foods
Xerox
contact lens
Frisbee and the pill
credit cards
Laser beams
ball point pens

Man had not invented
panty hose
Air conditioners
dishwashers
Clothes dryers
Clothes were hung outside to dry in fresh air
Women did not wear the pants
An exception Mom worked ten hours a day
Kids sold wild blackberries door to door

Your Grandmother and I got married first--then moved in together
Every family had a Father and a Mother. Until I was 25
I called everyone besides me "Mam" Policeman had title "Sir!"

We were before gay rights computer dating, dual careers and day
care group therapy. Two restrooms, "Men and Women" Those who used
drugs,aptly named, "Drugees more aptly Doopers"

Our lives were governed by the Bible, Good judgment and common sense.
Serving our country was a privilege. Fast food was a half biscuit while
running to catch the school bus. Having a meaningful relationship meant
getting along with your cousins Draft dodgers were those who closed the
front door when it got cold at night.

Time sharing meant time with the family spent together.
Never heard of FM Radios, tape decks, CD's electric typewriters
wearing ear rings. the term making out meant you passed in school.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's and instant coffee wee unheard of. We had
5&10 cent stores I am condensing at this point. You could buy a
Ford coupe for $600, Mine was a "Desoto" for $400. Gas was 11 cents
a gallon. So was a gallon of milk. Grass was mowed, Coke was a cold drink and pot was something
your mother cooked in. "Rock music was Grandma's lullaby, In the original Grandpa asked:
How old do you think I am? Grandpa was born 70 years ago, born in 1947.

In my case I was born in 1938. My job as a boy was to cut up the large bricks of Ice
and bring chunks inside for refrigeration. My first car was a World bicycle. My father
when he did work drove a coal truck and delivered house to house. Central heat
was a pot belied stove. Grandpa was a ship builder for the war effort. we stood at
attention even at home when the flag was raised. What was a NFL? I attended Churches
of all faiths if they believed in God. My best friend was black. He died eight years old
in a swimming accident. I cried for days.

I took liberties to condense this somewhat. My favorite song was,"God
Bless America" Later, "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" by Peggy Lee
The tallest building is now the smallest building in Seattle. Most of what I
learned was in Kindergarten. Most of what I want to forget is from then on.  










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