My Grandparents

All I knew was old,      
wrinkled skin,      
and stumbling gait.      
Craggy best described her face,      
giving gifts of ice cream and cake,      
plus lots of love and caring.      
She dreamed of coming to America      
but I never knew her story.      
Years after she passed,      
combing through old boxes,      
there was a picture of a ravishing beauty.      
"that's grandma, didn't you know?"      
Next to her stood a handsome man,      
tall with chiseled physic,.      
His suit with wide lapels      
couldn't hide the width of shoulder.      
"Grandpa?" I asked,      
"didn't you know?"      
All I knew was old,      
stories of the old country      
but never about the war.      
Raised with famine,      
Grandma wanted us fat and happy,      
and there was always plenty to eat      
but truth be told she was a terrible cook.      
Grandpa told stories of the railroads,      
endless stories now lost in time.      
He used to sit outside      
and watch the high school girls pass by.      
I though he was a bit lecherous      
until I realized we never really get old.      
I never really knew them,      
they lived dreaming of the old country,      
and working on the railroad,      
but they died dreaming of the ravishing beauty,      
and the handsome man they married long ago.      
I miss them