"What Grandfather Says"

“I have created you”
says the rock
from a crack in its face

“You’ve worn me down”
says the rock
from a crease in its back

“But what have you given back?”
says he again
from the very same crack

and silence is all you said
‘cause you’d rather be caught dead
than listen to an old rock
with a crack in its head

“You’ve only got a little while left.
In your flesh that bruises like fresh fruit
Until you fall down next
To the apple tree root
And hit my dust
You’ve trodden on
That will rise again
And burry you
In this dreadful sin.”

And silence is all you did
In hopes he’d said he’d kid
And tell you what you wish the truth was;
Your selfish little bid

“You’ve stepped on me”
said the rock
from the dust inside its mouth

But you pretended not to listen
And in the lake
Were stared at by your own reflection
As the geese flew south
And the cool wind blew
Change was coming
But you pretended: not, you knew
Though the rock had warned you.

“Your time will come soon,”
said the rock
from a crack in its face

“You will be judged,”
said the rock
from a crease in its back

“But what have you given back?”
said he again
from the very same crack

and silence is all you said
‘cause you’d rather be caught dead
than listen to an old rock
with a crack in its head

“Follow me”
is what grandfather says
but no one ever listens
because soon
grandfather will be dead