His grandpa was his Santa,
so when Grandpa died
his grandson cried
and dropped 
the Bible in his hand
and setting sail,
grew…
grew older than 
the little boy 
who knew God could heal his grandpa

but 
refused…
grew up 
cutting 
cain
with dad
not drinking cokes with mom and pop
but cutting 
coke
at kitchen tables…
sometimes,
his mother’s hands 
grew 
wild hurricane winds
thrashing
smashing
scary winds
which broke 
small children 
into twigs
around 
the kitchen table,
so the boy set sail 
on pirate ships
looking 
for someone 
small to kick
and bullied them into
angry nets
 ’til his own life 
turned
as black and blue 
as bruises
on his grandpa’s grave
and white as bones 
of those 
he kicked…
his feet all tangled
in Santa’s 
beard.
When Grandpa died
his grandson cried
and all of heaven wept 
til the pirate ship
dipped and dove 
and the boy 
so frightened and alone
decided for a change of sail
and cried out for his grandpa…
the sun broke into 
rainbow dance
and thunder clapped on water
like children opening 
hopeful gifts
near mangers
 full of 
wonder