The Grandfather Port

My Grandad built foundations

He poured concrete and a good glass of port

Wanderin’ Star was his heartsong

He was a strong but cheeky sort

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Idols are meant to wield tridents and fury

He commanded a chrome trowel and shovel

Made no demands and gave with both hands

I was named for the man, Philip Lovell

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In canal waters that break up his island

I search for him in my reflection

I imagine him steering our family

Like a captain on seas of connection

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Sailing the seas held such promise once

On course toward rich ports

My respect for the captain set in cement

In awe since my earliest thoughts

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I’m thankful for every drink that we shared

Aboard his proud family ship

When we alone were left on deck

He grinned and poured us a drip

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Rich red liquid full of history

Shared in our cups and our veins

Each drop brought warmth and mischief

His wisdom will remain

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Listening close I might have heard

Waves crashing down below

Beating the chest of the vessel

God’s envy began to grow

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I never dreamed it could be the last time

The captain raised a glass

The Christmas plunder was merry

But fortunes at sea change fast

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How is it just that time is a liar

Yet it would claim an honest man

The captain was taken over overboard

And a terrible shipwreck began

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A deluge of tears hit the deck like concrete

With awful tidal wave fury

I thought he might be the only man

Who could withstand a body’s mutiny

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His port barrel rolls across the wreckage

Empty now it lies

He’ll never see me lead my a crew

That share their father’s eyes

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No more battles worth the struggle

I can’t impress him now

No glass raised for fights well won

I feel too stern to bow

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But upon the rusted barrel hoops

The sunlight brings suprise

A stubborn twinkle in its mettle

The same sort lit his eyes

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Gleaming from the iron

His light ignites a flame

And I’m grateful to remember

I carry on his name

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The honour carries painful weight

But in thanks for all our drinks

I’ll steer his ship til our next port

And make sure it never sinks.