Saturday, December 12, 2015

Harold Angels


When I was six
my grandfather, Harold, died--
though I never called him “Grandfather”
and definitely never “Harold.”

Grampa” was a much more suitable term
for a brown cigarette smoking, Hee Haw watching,
take-your-teeth-out-and-sprinkle-black-pepper-
on-raw-hamburger-and-eat-it kind of guy.

So when I heard “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,”
I tried to picture it: all the Harold angels
up there,
singing,
angelic.

I loved him,
but if you'd have known Grampa
you'd have had your doubts, too.


© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

12 comments:

brudberg said...

Oh I so remember how you can misunderstand all those songs with their archaic words... But I do think Harold might be a great kind of Angel.

Jody Lee Collins said...

Please tell me you've read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. There's a classic line in there with exactly the same words....and the little girl wonders 'who is the world is Harold?'
Your poem is precious.

Wendy Bourke said...

This is so-o-o-o funny - and so well drawn, that when the "harold angels" are featured in the heavenly chorus, the scene comes together like a well-timed joke. My smile for the day!

Margaret said...

Truly a heartwarming poem!

Tank said...

This made me chuckle :-) I wish I could have met him! Great write honey...

Magyar said...

harken
the messenger sings
of kind tomorrows

The Herald sings, the memories of Grampa Harold, grand Jenn_!
_m

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

He sounds like a wonderful character--and your love of him just shines here Jennifer!!

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

He sounds like a wonderful character--and your love of him just shines here Jennifer!!

Magyar said...

TOO.. I wish you a grand Christmas_! _m

ayala said...

Sweet poem!

Janet Martin said...

somehow i missed this one. :) penned like only love can!

Wishing you a blessed 2016, Jen. I think of you and your family(esp. son) (and the other mother) often. May this be a year of hope and healing.

grapeling said...

:) ~