The Porch

If I had a porch, I would
want to sit with my grandfather,
learn to swear like a sailor and
listen to his stories.

Of sailing the oceans on
four masted ships and taking
months to return home.

Of blowing his bugle as the
horse Calvary charged,
during the Moro Rebellion in the
Philippines.

Of firing the 155mm artillery
piece during five battles in WWI.

Of the Gold he was paid
as a mercenary with
Pancho Villa’s Army.

Of his teenage bride, the
only women he ever loved.

That is what I would want to
do–if I had a porch.

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About the Author

Currently residing in Gardner, Kansas. Retired Finance Executive, College Adjunct Professor, and Army Veteran. A Writer Colony Alumni and member of the Kansas City Mystic Poet Society. An award-winning poet. His poetry has been published in a variety of magazines and in a recent book about the pandemic.

John L. Swainston
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