Tag Archives: The Power of Poetry

My Grandpa Henry inspired in me a love of writing. He wrote a number of poems for me beginning in early infancy and then every year on my birthday up through age 18. His poetry served as a scrapbook of my life and was his way of showing how much he cared. In poetry he was able to put into words what was sometimes difficult for him to say.  This love of poetry formed our lasting connection. I decided this year to enter the Arizona Literary Competition for the first time with two poems. I decided that if I was going to move forward as a writer, that both poems needed to be dedicated to my Grandpa Henry. Both poems were finalists and at an awards event on Saturday November 7, 2015 I discovered that one of my poems, A Grandfather’s Legacy, won second place. Both poems along with all of the other winning submissions in poetry as well as other categories including short story and essay have been published in the Arizona Literary Magazine.  My poem including all first and second place winners in the categories of essay, short story, and poetry will also be nominated by the Arizona Author’s Association for the Pushcart Prize. I am very appreciative of the recognition as well as very proud that I could honor my Grandpa in this way.

Grandparents play an invaluable role in our lives and I feel blessed that I was able to have a relationship with all of my grandparents.  My last two visits with my Grandpa Henry were two of the most special.  In my last visit I introduced him to my husband-to-be, Joe Brooks, which will always hold a special place in my heart. However, it was the time before that, when I sat with him and read to him the poetry that he had written, that will remain with me always.  When he was older (my Grandpa lived to be in his nineties) and unable to write, I remember sitting by his bedside and reading to him poetry that he had written not only about me, but his experiences as a young man out in the world. He captured the times in his writing and the power of his words revealed another side of him that I didn’t know existed.  His eyes lit up as he listened to poetry that he had not looked at in years.  Memories like these are what touch the heart and I will always be appreciative that we could share this time together.

Poetry provided a window to his soul and his words have inspired me to find my own voice.  Grandpa- thank you for sharing this love of poetry with me! I will always be grateful!

Your loving granddaughter,

Sheryl Brooks