Grandpa Norris and I

Sharing space with

an older fellow and his gold

tooth smile

was better than neat --

“I’ll have a burg” he blurted

in a waitress direction  

flashing his famous grin,

“and scorch the outside.”

Being with grandpa

at fourteen was special,

more than a long time ago –

the casual way

he dressed reminded me

of a cowpuncher

with a pistol at his side

except everyone knew

Grandpa had a

container of Maalox 

inside his right vest pocket

sure came in handy as

me and Grandpa

ordered another hamburger.