My Grandmother’s Stories Mishka Bari-Jones
My Grandmother’s Stories
When I ask her of her past
It seems so beautiful
She tells me of her snakeskin wedges
On her wedding day
Glee as the vicar called out
“You may kiss the bride!”
When I ask her of her past
It seems so exciting
Watching her friend with her camera
Not realising that the school coach had left
Leaving them stranded by the golden fountain
In the middle of London
When I ask her of her past
It seems so daring
Walking in pairs to the swimming baths
But two girls were not present in the pool
And were instead having lunch
Only to join with the class on their way back
When I ask her of her past
It seems so carefree
New Year’s day with a son and daughter
Drunk on schnapps, listening to Top of the Pops
Not to mention dancing (very badly) on the table
Before passing out in a favourite rocking chair
When she asks me of my past
I ask, why?
You’ve been there the whole time
There’s nothing you don’t know
And I’ll always tell you my stories
Because you told me yours.
‘My Grandmother’s Stories’ was a winning poem in the 2019 Newcastle Young People’s Poetry Competition.