When I was five I was king of the yard, and my grandfather said
I had one hell of an arm.
I remember learning his split-fingerfastball,
And all the tales he would stretch with that famous
Turner charm. and by the fire pit in my old backyard,
I used to sit transfixed by his stories.
About the time him and mickey mantle drank all night long,
Spinning yarns of all their former glories.

And I remember christmas eve when I was ten
And ma told grandpa he was wasting my time.
She sent him packing in the pouring rain;
Things were never quite the same after that night.
But in the package he left under the tree
Was a new silver wristwatch
Addressed to his favorite grandson, henry.