Time to Write a Poem

April 8 - Boppa

Boppa

The smartest man I've ever known,
only made it to the 6th-grade.
A kid who jumped the rails
          to travel west
                    and make his fortune.

Fell in love in Utah,
          left his teen bride,
                    to find work in Cali.
Later she joined him.

For 45 years he worked
          in the oil fields,
                    never hit it rich
but provided for his family
          and frugally saved.

A reader, explorer, adventurer,
          too many tales to share here

Whenever I needed advice, focus,
          help at school, or a sounding board
                    it was to him I turned.
The smartest man I've ever known.
                             ~~Judi Van Gorder

In memory of my maternal grandfather (Boppa), William Ernest (Ernie) Herron 1890-1986

Notes ▶︎

20 Lines
Free Verse
Prompted by "April 8 poem--a praise poem"