Grandfather sits and begins breakfast,

Staring into is coffee cup….

 

He is a Calvinist to be sure, sound and wise

if settled in his ways. He believes

in hell, and firmly in damnation, but

will not call it down. He sees himself

growing out of this world: trying hard

not to grow bitter. He folds

his glasses into his pocket, his paper,

and sets it aside. Rises. Stands

very still at the window, hands

on the ledge, looking out across the snow.

 

And when you see him, you remember

Christ in the weakness of his power

weeping over Jerusalem. And from the cross

praying a final forgiveness. Now,

seeing him, you have to believe

that this is not futile, what he does.

That here, at least, prayer is valid.

This once, and for this little while

you have to believe.

 

Robert D. Swets, Grandfather, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, 1970s?