Fourth of July When Life is Simple
Grand Dad used to say, “Life is simple.”
I thought silently, “Yeah, when you’re 90.”
Grand Dad used to say, “Life is good.”
I asked him if it was good all the time.
Grand Dad used to say, “Life goes up and down.
Learn to appreciate it all, even when it doesn’t look good.”
Grand Dad sat on the porch steps, slicing the watermelon.
It was The Fourth of July, his favorite holiday.
He pulled out his pocket knife and poked out the large seeds,
Throwing them hard to the ground and far away into the grass.
He said, “This is how you handle problems when they come.”
We sat in the shade for a while, thinking, and poking the seeds.
Then he put his mouth to the sliced fruit, biting hard into the sugar.
He smiled wide and satisfied, as watermelon juice dribbled down his chin.
“And this is how you engage the sweetness in Life.” Grand Dad said.
And he took another big bite. And, then, so did I.
Now I knew what Grand Dad knew.
Sometimes, Life really is that simple.
Denny Lyon
Copyright 21 June 2010
All Rights Reserved
* * * Check out the Complete Poem List for more selections.
*** With special thanks to nothingprofound, a fellow blogger, a fun guy who posts aphorisms on his blog, Aphorism Of The Day, that tickle my mind, one of from which this poem sprang (Life is simple... 18 June 2010).
*** For more Fourth of July posts see also:
63 Quotes About Freedom and Liberty: Happy Birthday, America!
How Do We Live Freedom and Liberty? Libations Friday - 2 July 2010
Fourth of July Fireworks Cartoons - 3 July 2010
Dennys Photo Gallery: Fourth of July Watermelon
Cake Tuesday: Red, White and Blueberry Shortcakes
Cake Tuesday: Red, White and Blue Independence Day Cake
Photo Credits
Fourth of July fireworks at Pismo Beach, California by puliarf @ flickr
Watermelon quarter close up by ccharmon @ flickr
Pink watermelon by Esther Gibbons @ flickr
Watermelon keys by Torley @ flickr
"Flutter-bye" on watermelon enjoying the sugar by puliarf @ flickr
Watermelon slices by moreno0101 @ flickr
Watermelon on ice by quinn.anya @ flickr
Watermelon seeds by Muffet @ flickr
Watermelon on the sky by mfrascella @ flickr
Eating watermelon with gusto by Jonf729 @ flickr
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The Social Poets
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The Healing Waters
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