Grandfather Death Poem

After 5 years of not seeing him, I went on holiday to Europe for a visit. I spent the next 3 months travelling daily to and from his hospital bed. At 12 years old, I helplessly watched my grandfather die of cancer.

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My grandfather was an amazing man. He died yesterday peacefully in his sleep. I already miss him so much. If only I could hug him one last time, to tell me that it was okay, that I knew he...

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Goodbye, Grandfather

© more by Veronika J.

Published by Family Friend Poems November 2010 with permission of the Author.

You never know the extent of a word
Until you use it
You never know the impact of a word
Until you abuse it

You never know what could or couldn't have been
Until you lose it
You'll never live through the good times in between
Because you lost it

Please, when you say goodbye
Make it count for what it's worth
Put some value on the word
It may be the last one ever heard

What I wouldn't give to see his face
Just one last time
He's lying in a better place
So I'll just smile and say it's fine

We never got to share a dance
Or celebrate together
If only we had one last chance
I'd make it last forever

I would show him how good I've done
And how much better I still can do
I'd show him how much he meant to me
And how much I loved him too

I'd thank him for always being there
And sending me all his love
I want to feel him one more time
Give him one last hug

He was the strongest male figure
I ever came across
He wore a smile even though
He knew how much he lost

The word goodbye left my lips
So quickly and so hollow
If only I knew it was forever
I'd tell him only until tomorrow

I'd make sure he kept fighting
Even though he was tired and weak
I'd be there to stop him crying
Whilst sleeping, I'd kiss him on the cheek.

And if it was his last 10 breaths
That he would only ever get
I'd take his hand and tell him
That him I would never forget

Followed by that little word
That makes him know it's time
That little word that makes me cry
I'd tell him, Goodbye Grandfather

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Harper Walter by Harper Walter
  • 6 years ago

My grandfather was an amazing man. He died yesterday peacefully in his sleep. I already miss him so much. If only I could hug him one last time, to tell me that it was okay, that I knew he loved me. I am only eleven and he was eighty. It pains me that I never got to say goodbye or be with him in his last moments. He had Parkinson's and dementia so bad that he forgot how to eat. He slept all day and all night. He woke up at 12:07 p.m. and looked into my aunt's eyes and said that he was ready. With one final breath he drifted away peacefully into God's faithful arms. I miss him dearly and wish I got to say goodbye one last time.

  • Natasha by Natasha, Mandan ND
  • 10 years ago

On July 3rd 2014, my grandpa was shot and killed by his brother in law by accident. I remember doing fireworks when my dad told me. It was the worse thing I ever heard. I'm only 17 and some of my cousins are so young they won't even remember him and it saddens me so much. I took geology class this summer and he was so proud. He would pick me up from school and talk about this trilobite fossil he had and how he really wanted to show me it. He died before he could show me. I also remember we would play 20 questions together and I spy and tell stories. The last time he was at my house I hardly talked to him because I was just watching TV. The image of him driving away for the last time is burned in my mind and I feel incredibly guilty. We found out shortly after he died that he was going to buy my parents a camper and surprise us. Its soo sad. I just want him back. This has been the worst summer of my life.

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