DaDornta

Background:

My Grandfather was a "true" Alaskan. He raised my aunt and father here in the small town of Seward back in the 50s/60s. He also had a hard-rock mining claim... He was a longshoreman, poet, and a big fan of the Irish (meethinks he liked the drink a little to much..?)

Needless to say, he wrote a couple of self-published books of prose. He never considered himself a "poet" (according to my dad)--but merely a story-teller.

My father, in his father's footsteps now has two books of his own (again self-published, but in libraries and local book stores here in Alaska)...

I never knew my grandfather, but after reading his stuff for years I get an almost MORE complete "vibe" of who this man was that made my dad, and who in turn made myself.

This is a poem dedicated to the late Grandfather of mine, who loved nature, life, and expression. I feel him in his works, and this is an attempt of mine to "holla back yall!" through space/time.

This is a FIRST draft. In a few years, it might not even read the same. . . I continually update/change my poems as I re-read them...so here it is...


"A Tribute to Grand-Pa Kenny"

Although i Never knew you,
your spirit alone I continue to live through.

From Your prose and fanciful rhyme...
you transcend both not space but also time..

It kindles deep, within this here mind,
of a longing that, if we but had only had time...

Perhaps in a time in which we exchanged prose,
reflecting the words, exchanging poetic blows.

Although I never knew the man on paper,
your inspiration in my soul never waivers...

Beyond the grave, and beyond all that's known,
you continue to live on, inspiring my own

O! how, you Inspire, and drive my mind..
Bringing me back to place lost in time.

A place not so far, for the bold at heart--
for i imagine that we are not far apart.

The joy of the bard, it seems we both share--
lovingly creating our poetry with care..

Crafting the lines, and exchanging the verses,
allowing outselves to vent all our curses.

This a poem to you -- my grand dad,
I hope that you hear it.....and understand.

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