Poems (Hoffman)/The Grandmas
THE GRANDMAS
Perhaps I were a sleeping, Perhaps I were awake,And maybe I was neither So what difference does it make?I dreamed of a merry party As jolly as could be'Twas all the dear, dear Grandmas Invited out to tea.They came from near and distance, All the Gradmas I had met,The dear, quaint, nice old ladies I never shall forget,And some were oh, so funny! Such stories told that day,And said such quaint, wise, solemn things As only Grandmas say.Some told what kind of herb teas Were best for every painAnd some told all their troubles In such a minor strain,And then they fell a talking, The Grandmas one and all,Of some sweet, lovely boy and girl, I can't just now recall,But one thing still I treasure Just like a costly gemIt was a little boy or girl Who had been kind to them.One said a little grandchild "With softest step" (she said)Had brought her lovely violets When she was sick abed. And one, with such a cheerful smile, Said, that "a little dear"Wrote her the sweetest letters A dozen times a year.And one who had no grandchild And looked so sad and sweetSaid that somebody's grandchild Brought her nice fruit to eat.And one who looked a little queer Spoke up then just as quickAnd told how that some darling boy When she was very sickBrought something lovely every day Said, "good morning" and good-bye."He said: "You're someone's Grandma And that's the reason why;"Then all the dear old Grandmas Put on their things to go.I could not help a thinking Of some I used to knowWho didn't come to-day because They have grown young againIn that bright land of Heaven Where there is no age or pain,And I thought of all the girls and boys And wished that I could say:"Don't forget the dear old Grandmas For we'll all grow old some day."