Gran's Grilled Cheese

just about all i'd eat until the age of 9

was my Gran's grilled cheeses

i'd stand beside her at the stove

and she'd teach me how to make mine

First slice of white goes in the buttered pan

layer atop the cheese and the second slice

the top is not hot until it's flipped

so you can press it with your hand

once both sides are golden buttery brown

make a neat slice down the middle

put it on a plate with plain potato chips

and talk to me as I slowly take it down

how did you put all that love into that act

enough to make the memory stick

like the melted cheese between those white slices

of my all-the-time favorite snack

i am sentimental in my older age

i am still a little girl at Gran's kitchen table

being worshiped for just existing

i'd give anything to again see you gaze

at me like my preferences are perfection

like you've lived your whole life just waiting

on a granddaughter who loves grilled cheeses

to give all of life direction.