a series of Sunday afternoons

dragged along to see the grandparents

none of whom it seemed

to care much for me

only accepting i was there

if i stayed silent

or went outside to play

my grandfather died first

where i was not allowed at his funeral

then my grandmother who i’d seen

a few months before that event

her face looming in for a kiss

a last goodbye on my cheek

i went back to the navy knowing

i’d never see her again

& my mothers parents

who i never knew remember at all

all these people to wonder

are they buried somewhere or cremated

is there someplace i could visit

honour their passing leave a stone to say

it wasn’t me pushed anybody away

never let me see your face