Free Writing
Grandmother

I was twelve, I remember. Grade Seven, at General Brock. My grandma had fallen ill recently. She would had outbursts at night, pull hairs, screaming, throwing things, talking nonsense about the past; back in Vietnam. I remember laying in my cousin's room and she was crying secretly under her blanket, but I could hear her. I didn't know what to make of it, I stared at the ceiling. Everyday after school, my mom picks me up and we take a very long drive. I watched the images fly by my window; hydro poles, cars, buildings. When I saw farm and hills I knew we were getting close. I hospital smelt funny, like my old empty cuppy that my mom used to wean me from bottles. I knew where I was going and lead the way through the halls. When we got to the right doorway, a different atmosphere settled, it seemed tense and too quiet. I walked in and my eyes followed the tubes and mechanic noise, they were all connected to my Grandma's body. I was curious, a little scared, but I felt bad because she couldn't go anywhere. It was a week ago that she cold barely eat solid food, barely able to chew. Today, my mom tried to feed her baby food, and that didn't go down either. I sat there quietly, my brother fidgeting in his stroller. He was too big for it, but Mom babied him anyway. "Lazy bum." I muttered. My mom wiped Grandma's mouth and told me to take my brother to the kid's room and do my homework. I nodded but eyed the full can of baby food. I asked, "Can I have it?" Mom said yes, so I took it with me.

Went home, as usual. Sunday morning rolled along and I sat in front of the TV eating breakfast. The telephone rang and Mom went to get it. I saw her nod and walk to the window, looking out at the sky. She never did that. She sounded angry, I had wondered what happened. Mom hung up quickly and told us to get dressed. I asked her "What happened?" Several times, no answer. I asked again and very hastily she said, "Your Grandma died." And without another word, quickly packed our jackets and snacks for us like she was trying to keep her hands busy. But I saw them shaking. I didn't understand why I wasn't doing the same. I wasn't even crying. The car ride was quiet, my brother sleep in the back and I watched the pictures in the window. The sun was up, but it looked cold outside. I breathed on the window and slowly drew a question mark. I decorated it and when I was satisfied, I smeared the whole thing.

At the hospital, all our relatives were there. We stood at the foot of the bed. She looked very different, my Grandma. Very still, I said, "Are you sure she's not sleeping?" They sent me and the kids to the kids room. My cousin cried a lot, she wouldn't play with me. My brother was eating. So I played with myself and then later, my baby cousin, she didn't understand the game.

I went to school on Monday and when I went to class I saw my teacher, "Guess what happened on the weekend?" I said a bit too chirpy. "Your Grandma died?" he replied. I was shocked, "Yep, how did you know?" I ran past him without an answer. Mom must've told him.

A week later, I think it was, we went to Grandma's funeral. It was open casket and all the adults went outside for something. Maybe a tradional ritual? I don't know. They gave us all quarters and we were supposed to use it before going into the house, a representation of leaving the bad stuff out, I guess. I sat there in the funeral room alone with my cousins. I looked at my quarter. I didn't want to spend it.

Then I remembered a legend I read in a Greek Mythology book. To cross the river Styx, Grandma needed some money to give the paddler. They usually put it under the dead's tongue, but I didn't want to move her. I walked quietly up to the casket. I tucked my quarter under he pillow, and looked at her face. It was so differnt. I got angry, angry at whoever did that to her. She had too much makeup and her fact looks stretched back.

Hours later, they were lowering her into the ground. I thought, "It's just all a joke. Grandma's gonna push the top open and tell us that she's still alive and that she was only sleeping."

But then, the casket was halfway into the ground and it didn't happen as I expected, and finally, I cried.

It was real, and I will never see her again. Never hug her chubby body and tease her. Never be able to play blackjack with her again, never have her teach me more Vietnamese words. I miss her so much, and I hope she found the quarter I left her. I was twelve.

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Lover’s Garden

Gently did the silver gates shut
Paraded daisies white as snow
In the sun they smile and grow;
On the left the tulips strut
While on the right some wild vines clutched,
Pointing their leaves in vainly show
Appeared a path, a cobble-stoned road.

Forward down the desolate route,
Across a wood bridge running by
A stream from hills that wept and cry.
Along the bank Narcissi sprout
In the water swam singing trout.
To the east the brook made trickle
Then to the sky the stars did twinkle.

Up above the light grew dim;
The path draws to a subtle stop,
Crickets lulling as they hop,
Sparrows cooed their loved hymn.
And there it was with blooming brim,
A waving tree amidst the grass
Under waning moon, petals past

Proceed toward the curtain willow
There my love and I shall be,
As he whispers sweet things to me;
I fill with glee, delight and giggle
Face illuminated by firefly glow.
Shyly giving my roses then,
My love and I in Lover’s Garden

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Rosebush Meadow

The clouds roll by in clumsy dance
Alluring me with rose fragrance;
And there I met him perhaps by chance,
My eyes were draws with just one glance,
Then my heart began to prance.
Ah! There is nothing quite like romance.

Stepped into the meadow green,
Could not hide for I was seen.
Under my skirt I welled with steam;
Oh, pinch me dear, is this a dream?
Looked at his face, his eyes did gleam,
He was interested or so it seemed.

The scent of roses in the air,
Or maybe lilies for all I cared.
In this field just standing there,
He ran his fingers through my hair.
Is this the same feeling that we share?
For I hoped to god, we’d be a pair.

Around the field the roses grow
In splendor, majesty and royal show.
The sky was blue but somewhat low
As the sun depart in crimson glow.
Stars came out, and we below
Lay fast asleep in Rosebush Meadow.

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A Year Round

Wild and fun, that party girl
     Summer shows her radiant smile
Of shining sun that brightly calls,
     She brings to beaches from miles and miles.
Men allured and women more,
     She forbids and banishes any work.
Everyone deserves a little break,
     The doctor, dentist and even their clerk.

But afterwards sweeps Autumn quickly,
     Back to work the games are over.
She throws away the Summer fun,
     Then take away the tree’s green colour.
Beautiful with her jet-black hair
     Allows a play-day just once a year;
The air is cool, just like her skin
     When time to go, her brown eyes tear.

In marches Winter with a glare,
     Her pretty hands send chills and shivers.
Blows a kiss of deathly freeze,
     Snowflakes from every finger.
She sees Spring peeking from around the corner,
     But realize she has not blizzard yet.
The time has come for her to go,
     So sending a storm, she leaves upset.

Gently comes the spirited Spring,
     Melts the snow from up above.
Animals greet her and so do plants,
     It’s time for happiness; Time for love.
She kisses everyone on the cheek
     Leaving the warmth to float in air
In a scent of subtle roses,
     Spring leaves them in Summer’s care.

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