POEM - Grandma Blew Up Signal Hill

My grandma

That sweet old lady

She carries such troubles

A deep dark secret

That she’s held for years

She once told me in confidence

In hushed tones

So no one would hear

During a moment

When we were chatting

It seems there was a big hill

Right near her home

Full of oil rigs

Near the city of Long Beach

And she’s positive

That she is somehow responsible

For blowing it up

I’m shocked by her revelation

But she is a wily one

And I watch her

As she leans back in the chair

Closes her wrinkly eyes

And smiles a wry smile

“I was only 6 at the time

            But I was sure it was my fault!”

Oh grandma

You are a silly one

And she laughs her laugh

And I laugh to

After a moment

She opens her eyes

Another thought has surfaced

She has that funny look

As she starts again

“Did I ever tell you

About the time

            I was there

When the Japanese attacked California . . .?”