in her last week she complained
someone had put a brick under her pillow
to stop her sleeping
shifted and griped through the night
a brick under the pillow
tired of tiredness
tired being the only one who’d listen
mad at the absurd princess and the pea
mad at the thief taking my champion
and ashamed of my bitterness
it came to me how i might sweeten what remained
fetched a brick from the shed
slipped it under the pillow when her head was turned
nudged her to attention removed and showed it
with great ceremony and said ‘Gran you’re right
someone did put a brick under the pillow’
she smiled and settled deep and small
almost not there
johnpoetflanagan 
Poignant, yet beautiful, John.
Sue
Thank you very much
A big hug
john
Hugs, John.
“tired of tiredness” – what an awful state. Nicely done.
Thank you, Dan
Thank you very much
My best to you
john
I am the proverbial princess and the pea story, I can feel a grain of sand….but a brick would cause me much dismay I must say 🙂
Yes indeed, Kim.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Big hugs
john
will be looking into your lulu book site once I know I don’t have a virus in my computer, no buying till I’m sure I haven’t been compromised 🙂 sigh ❤ but looking forward to that 🙂
Thank you, Kim.
Just a thought; i believe the book is available on Amazon
but at twice the price Lulu has it. i never sanctioned the Amazon
thing, they must be a law all unto themselves and i’m surprised and annoyed they charge double.
john
Such a sad yet beautiful reminiscence, John. I found this very touching.
Thank you, Chris.
My grandmother was 93 when she passed away after a hard life and 12 children.
She was made of stern stuff.
Chris, again, thank you for the wonderful support
Ever
john
Brother John – Wonderful, touching poem, from “gran’s” uncomfortable death bed,
“in her last week she complained
someone had put a brick under her pillow”,
and you (the loving grandson)
“mad at the absurd princess and the pea/
mad at the thief taking my champion”,
to your loving solution,
“it came to me how i might sweeten what remained
fetched a brick from the shed
slipped it under the pillow when her head was turned”
I smiled with gran as she, “settled deep and small
almost not there”.
comforted by love.
One of my favorites. Such touching words of our human condition!
Brother David
You do me great honour with this fine and detailed response.
Thank you.
Much love to You and Diane.
Ever Your Brother
john
Our individual perceptions overwhelm the realities and become truth if we like it or not. We act out our lives in response to perceptions with truth mercifully intervening at times to save us from ourselves. “So let it be written so let it be done”. She was a key to who you are and you loved her dearly and she you. John my dear friend you have penned another entertaining and interesting poem of life for me to savor Jon Michael
Jon My Friend
this is a beautifully written, sensitive and thoughtful response.
Thank you
Ever Your Friend
john
Oh, I love that one.
Myra My Friend
Thank you
Much love
john
bricked, tiredness, this is stunningly written….
Mihran
Thank you very much
Always
john
Love this ❣️Thank you, kind hearted John.
Thank you, Val
and yes i like to think i have a good heart but my heart and i are
far from perfect.
Always
john
Ah! Moved me to tears, my friend John!
I am taking care of my Mom who will be 90 soon. This story has quite a few lessons in it for me!
Hope you are well, John. I was so happy to see you in my email 😉
Much love ❤
Thank you, Lorrie My Friend
Take good care of your mother, these are precious days for her and for you.
Much love, as always
john
Thank You, John! 💜
Oh, John, this is deeply moving.
Vera
Thank you very much indeed.
A big hug
john
Wonderful, John – sweet and poignant and fun.
Noelle
Thank you so much
Big hugs
john
Thank you, John. You brought a smile to my lips and a tear to my eye.
A true experience, Joan. My grandmother was 93 when she passed away
after a hard life and 12 children all of whom survived.
Thank you for the great support
Much love
john
‘tired of tiredness’
Thank you Gavin
A moving poem…life is tough for some..
Thank you, Dear Indah
Always with a big hug
bapak john
I can identify with with the highlighted feels. Your writing soothes. jf, thank you for sharing your poetry. Always.
Dear Audrey
Thank you for the wonderful support
Always with love
jf
This is truly moving, John. My mom passed away six years ago at the age of 90, and my dad went to be with her last August at the age of 97. It’s so surreal and hard to know my parents are gone in a physical sense. My sisters and I know they’re watching over us, though, and content that they’re together again. Life has its challenges, doesn’t it?
Again, beautiful writing…
Lauren
Lauren
Thank you. I hope your parents are resting in peace
and have found their reward.
Much love and strength to you
john
When did we become the grownups?
What a beautiful, attentive solution. You actually listened before trying to reassure her. May I have someone like you when it’s my time. Not remotely ready yet, in spite of being exhausted for28+ years now, but I will remember this, and your gentle words, a long time.
Thank you
Alicia
for this fine and warm response.
A big hug
john
Hugs back.
Such a warm and sensitive response
Alicia
Thank you
Always
john
Amazing blog!
Thank you very much
I have missed some poems. This particular one had me in tears. Hope all is well, John. I was trying to find the house you were talking about, but it is rebuilt after the fire, so I just took some pictures of the area. Wishing you well.