Day 2: Family Portraits— 2 cinquains #NaPoWriMo Day 2

My grandparents, before deployment, WWII

 Look at this photo. The gorgeous knockout and that strapping young soldier are my grandparents.

Today's NaPoWriMo prompt challenges us to "write a poem that takes the form of a family portrait."

I wrote two. One for each of these people who are larger than life to me.

The thought of encapsulating all that they are and everything they mean to me in one poem is laughable. Instead, I offer up small, quick brushstrokes that only hint at the full picture.

One cinquain for my beloved grandfather who passed away with honor and dignity after his final battle with an unfair opponent: Alzheimer's.

Grandpa,
remember this?
Thick vats of chocolate fudge
we stirred each Christmas when you still
knew us?

And one for my grandmother, the delight of my life, who is 93 and underwent heart surgery this week. I spoke with her tonight and she sounded so good, if understandably tired. Before surgery, she mentioned to me that one of her children told her she has to stick around; she's the glue. With 7 children, 28 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren, I know of no stronger bonding agent than Mary McBride. But I want her to lighten her load and unburden her with this wondrous truth:

Grandma,
recognize this—
you joined us together.
Showed us all how to be glue. We
adhere!

 Together, my grandparents taught us how to love each other unconditionally, laugh together, cry together, and sally forth no matter what comes our way. Through an act of grace and molecular physics, I landed in this united, adoring family. I could not ask for more. My cup is full. Thank you Grandma. Thank you, Grandpa.

My grandparents and their beautiful children