I remember that day when you said, "don't cry"
"For I'll see you by and by"
But that didn't sink in and I still remember you now and again
How all the friends use to drop by just to see Mr. Ben
They always knew he would have a cold dipper of water
And some watermelons under the porch that he had grown down in the holler
There was usually a grandchild or two hanging around
Shelling peas or pitching washers out on the stomp ground
You see for miles around he was known as Mr. Ben
But he was my granddaddy and I miss him more now than then
He didn't have medals or fight in world wars
But in my eyes he was like a great eagle and my how he could soar
He was farmer and blacksmith by trade
You could see him doing one or the other every day
Every Saturday he would go to the local mercantile in town
Where he and several friends would gather around
Every Sunday you could find him at the local church
Always dressed in his best khaki shirt
He taught me valuable things about life
How to hunt a deer and sharpen a knife
He could tan a cowhide and make it soft and limber
Or he could teach you how to select a good load of timber
He loved for me to drive him around in the car
Even though I wasn't allowed to drive very far
I remember the day he passed away
I sat in his blacksmith shop where he and I spent many a day
You see for miles around he was known as Mr. Ben
But he was my granddaddy and I miss him more now than then
©Gerald Powell
November 2004
Used With Permission
All Rights Reserved By Author
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