Benches

Benches

There was a bench in our back yard
  Where grandpa sat to whittle.
There was a dead spot in the grass
  From Copenhagen spittle.

When I saw him sitting there,
  Wood shavings at his feet,
I would run across the yard
  And I would take a seat.

He would give me some advice
  On how to live my life.
The points that he would make to me
  Were sharper than his knife.

“Your day is never quite complete
  Till you’ve made someone laugh”.
“If you’re not sure about the price
  Then don’t sell more than half”.

I was called to jury once,
  While the Bench looked down.
My answers caused the judge to smile,
  The defense lawyer frown.

It seems the prosecutor was
  A friend of many years.
The defense lawyer sent me off,
  From me there were no tears.

Last week I sat upon a bench
  Between my mom and wife,
We were gathered at the church
  To celebrate a life.

As the service did proceed,
  I had time to reflect
And think about a life well lived
  And how he earned respect.

In the years he worked for me
  He always did his part.
For his country, for his church,
  He gave with all his heart.

Next week I will be in DC,
  As I walk to the Hill,
I expect to see some folks
  Who there are homeless still.

They’re not just stuck in a rut,
  They’re deep down in a trench.
Living life from day to day
  In a park upon a bench.

March madness is upon the land,
  The bench will play a part.
Tournaments are not just won
  By those who get to start.

I just had a chance to watch
  Dakota, State class B.
The value of a bench was shown
  Right there for all to see.

Two boys came in from off the bench
  And before they were done,
With the shot that beat the buzz,
  They pumped in twenty one.

Every farm will have a bench
  On one wall in the shop,
Where all the broken parts and
  Pieces pile up on the top.

But that is not the most important
  Bench out on the farm.
Who you have that’s ready next
  To come in is the charm.

Do they know how to dribble well,
  And do they know the plays?
Are they set to take the ball
  In your later days?

Do they only shoot for threes
  Or is their defense tight?
Are they all set to go on
  Any day or any night?

It’s hard to be a coach and know
  The proper things to say.
It’s hard to step aside and watch
  The younger farmers play.

If your lucky and you’re wise
  When grandkids run to you
They may ask you what it is
  That you think they should do.

To be a grandpa on a bench
  You do not need to whittle,
And I would urge you to forgo
  The Copenhagen spittle.