GRANDPA POWER
A poem by Chrome Dome Mike Kimbro
Consider reading along to my Spoken Verse Performance.
VERSE 1
High in the Rockies, where spruce and pine stand,
Snow falls melt and become The Colorado.
Before winding it’s way through a canyon grand,
It takes a swing by today’s El Dorado.
VERSE 2
But lighting Las Vegas takes lots of juice.
So Hoover Dam was built to create,
Lake Mead, which in turn would produce,
Electricity for the nearby states.
VERSE 3
They say three turbines are sufficient,
To keep all of Sin City ablaze.
Engineered to be clean and efficient,
That world wonder will surely amaze.
VERSE 4
Needless to say, that’s quite a feat,
Providing all those kilowatt hours.
But Lake Meade simply cannot compete,
With the force they call Grandpa Power.
CHORUS #1
Grandpa Power!
That’s the nomenclature.
Grandpa Power!
For a force of nature.
So wrong,
To see,
Him as elderly.
When strong,
Is he,
In the energy,
Which we call,
Lovingly,
Grandpa Power!
Image Title: "Sunset at the Bird Island Basin near Corpus Christi, Texas, where the windsurfing is great"
VERSE 5
South of Corpus, near the Bird Island Basin,
Godzilla came ashore with the tide.
Made it quite clear it was me he was chasin',
Seems a second 'Big G' he wouldn't abide.
VERSE 6
But the beast hadn't faced Texas Grandpa Power,
At least, not the time it wrecked Manhattan.
Now the Monster King is pushing up flowers.
Brought home a piece, and served it up...blackened.
"It tasted like chicken."
CHORUS #2
Grandpa power!
It’s outta site!
Grandpa power!
It’s dynamite!
When our chests swell up with pride.
As if our flag has been unfurled.
That’s when grandparents are supplied
With the greatest force in the world.
And you can call it…Grandpa Power.
VERSE 7
The Avengers called. I told ‘em not to worry.
Seems they didn’t understand what I meant,
By the phase: “A job I couldn't hurry.”
These young folks, they just can’t take a hint.
VERSE 8
It's no secret I drink lots of prune juice.
You see my avenging stuff is kind of weak,
Until nature calls, and I 'drop the deuce'.
Only then does my power reach its peak.
CHORUS #1
Grandpa Power!
That’s the nomenclature.
Grandpa Power!
For a force of nature.
So wrong,
To see,
Him as elderly.
When strong,
Is he,
In the energy,
Which we call,
Lovingly,
Grandpa Power!
VERSE 9
Now parents, if you’re loosing patience,
With the fruit of a love so divine.
I realize that it’s hard to be gracious,
When you’re so close to losing your mind.
VERSE 10
I’ve got good news which can’t be ignored:
Some say that, in our grandchildren,
Is where we collect our just reward.
For sparing the lives of our children.
VERSE 11
‘Family’ will take on new meaning,
When you hear your grandchild koo.
Heck, I don’t even mind the screaming,
Takes me back in time, like déjà vu.
CHORUS #2
Grandpa power!
It’s outta site!
Grandpa power!
It’s dynamite!
When our chests swell up with pride.
As if our flag has been unfurled.
That’s when grandparents are supplied
With the greatest force in the world.
And you can call it…Grandpa Power.
BRIDGE
Now Luke, consider it your noble duty
To go forth and find yourself a beauty.
Not just the kind which leads to vanity.
For that, my lad, will test your sanity.
First thing to look for in a woman is ‘grace’.
It’s more important than her body or face.
Find yourself a diamond with many facets.
Regard her brains and drive as key assets.
And consider this during soul mate screenings:
Grandma Deb accepted my leftist leanings.
Now a kind heart is most important of all.
A hard one will leave, should bad luck befall.
It’s nice if your love is good with money.
And sometimes pretends that you are funny.
While a nice pair of lips do have benefits,
A swing of the hips is as good as it gets.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget the “Look of Love,"
Which trumps everything I’ve listed above.
And it’s not a minus if she speaks Francais.
Grandma Toni does, and things turned out OK.
VERSE 12
With precious cargo in his automobile,
A wise man honors the posted speed limits.
So having old Gramps behind the wheel,
Means the trip takes a few extra minutes.
VERSE 13
Rest assured, Grandpa hasn’t been handed,
A ticket for ‘exhibition of speed’.
But it’s unfair that he’s been branded:
“Sunday Driver," by many a bad seed.
VERSE 14
When an engine roars, and tires squeal,
That’s just as cool, after a man retires.
But what’s the greatest thrill (he can reveal):
Getting 80,000 miles from a set of tires.
CHORUS #2
Grandpa power!
It’s outta site!
Grandpa power!
It’s dynomite!
When our chests swell up with pride.
As if our flag has been unfurled.
That’s when grandparents are supplied
With the greatest force in the world.
And you can call it…Grandpa Power.
VERSE 15
When traveling through space, to Pluto and beyond,
Out where sun rays will be far between, and few.
The success of the mission will depend upon,
A power supply which 'franks and beans’ renew.
VERSE 16
So, when Gramps nods off during the playoff game,
The rumor that he’s ‘lost a step’ is baseless.
For him, taking a cat nap brings no shame,
Cause he’s in training for his time in stasis.
CHORUS #1
Grandpa Power!
That’s the nomenclature.
Grandpa Power!
For a force of nature.
So wrong,
To see,
Him as elderly.
When strong,
Is he,
In the energy,
Which we call,
Lovingly,
Grandpa Power!
VERSE 17
As a father, I sucked, cause I couldn't see the fun,
In hanging out with my daughter, sipping tea.
And I can't say I fully warmed up to my son,
Until he came home with a college degree.
VERSE 18
But soon as his parents brought my grandson home,
I learned to serve my love fully, not halfway.
Got a second chance, so I sing a different tune.
And ask his mom if he can come out and play.
CHORUS #2
Grandpa power!
It’s outta site!
Grandpa power!
It’s dynamite!
When our chests swell up with pride.
As if Old Glory has been unfurled.
That’s when grandparents are supplied
With the greatest force in the world.
And you can call it…Grandpa Power.
THE END
Copyright © Michael Kimbro 2016. All rights reserved.
As with some of my earlier works, particularly “The Colocation Center” and “The Las Vegas Strip”, I'd like to conclude with a few poetic remnants. These are segments which didn’t make the cut, yet might still add to the reader’s entertainment, and shed light on the Chrome Dome writing method.
I'd be remiss if I didn't give credit to my long time friend and mentor, Mark Boon of The Netherlands. His gentle critique and guidance has greatly influenced me, and Mark's example in art and life has provided much inspiration.
Well folks, "Grandpa Power" is a prime example of this influence. Knowing that he was also a Grandfather, I thought Mark would appreciate this work, so I kept him abreast of my progress on this project, a verse or chorus at a time.
A week or so ago, I decided to put the pieces together, and frankly, I was feeling pretty satisfied. So I sent Mark a copy of the first version of the poem, which included the following first verse:
VERSE 1
A mighty dam was built to produce,
Electric power for Vegas and Reno.
South Nevada needs lots of juice,
To light up it’s streets and casinos.
Now I fully expected Mark to advise me of the timing error, as Hoover Dam was built before Las Vegas, but I'm cool with exercising artistic license there. Besides, he didn't say a thing about that.
Instead, Mark recommended that I take a closer look at my basic analogy, which assumed that Hoover Dam provides the power. Mark challenged me by suggesting that the Colorado River could be seen as the ultimate source.
Oh, what a moment! I was driving down Highway 360 through Arlington when I received that email. One second I'm mentally "just so over" the project, anxious to put it behind me, then suddenly the fire is rekindled, inspiring the framework for verses 17 and 18, conceived while drive around Tarrant County, Texas on that Saturday afternoon.
The next morning I tackled the analogy issue, ultimately crediting Lake Mead for being the source of the power, which is part of the Colorado River system. And I'm quite proud of the fact that I was able to resist the urge to rhyme "Lake Mead" with "Take Heed", though it was tempting.
Moving on. Understanding that I am, first and foremost, a nerd, it's not as hard to grasp my desire to include a sci-fi nod or two.
But none of the above are my first attempt to do this. And I was happy with the following initial effort:
VERSE 15 – original
Ever notice how an alien crew
All look to be past a certain age.
The reason for this has much to do
With a force that’s never been gauged.
VERSE 16 - original
During lengthy celestial explorations,
Their power supply would be devoured.
So there’s only one possible explanation…
They’re flying on Grandpa Power.
...but was forced to rewrite it when I ran out of options on how to deal with my personal tendency to fall asleep while watching sporting events on television, even championship matches.
Now here's an alternative verse #14:
VERSE 14 - redo
Sure, Gramps dreams of driving a GTO.
Such urges don't stop when a man retires.
But here's a thrill the 'lead foots' will never know:
Getting 80,000 miles from a set of tires.
Now it shouldn't be a surprise that verses 7 & 8 presented some challenges, since it concerns one of the baser biological functions. Here's the original verse #8:
VERSE 7 - Original
The Avengers called. I told ‘em not to worry.
Seems they didn’t understand what I meant,
By the phase: “A job I couldn't hurry.”
These young folks, they just can’t take a hint.
VERSE 8
Yeah, I’ll be delayed in meeting the group,
You see my avenging stuff is kind of weak,
Until after I’ve taken a really good poop.
Only then does my power reach its peak.
Then I attempted to soften things a bit by giving the verses a Norse flair via a Thor nod:
VERSE 7 - alternative
The avengers called, and they asked me to hurry.
Seems that Loki still wants Oden's job.
His last known location is what makes them worry.
In Jotunheim, with a Frost Giant mod.
VERSE 8
But I told Tony Stark to just hang loose.
You see my avenging stuff is kind of weak,
Until nature calls, and I drop the deuce.
Only then does my power reach its peak.
The remaining poetic remnants were stuff I threw up against the wall while brainstorming the bridge section:
You’ll soon learn that a twinkle in the eyes.
Is too easily misread by all the other guys.
and
The gifts a mature woman bring are awesome,
But a younger girl has many years to blossom.
and
Don't settle on a gal because of her rackage,
When soccer girls are the total package.
and
While kankles have gotten a really bad rap.
They’re a non-issue should she know how to tap.
and
While a sultry voice is nothing at which to scoff,
You can't beat soft hands, when the lights are off.
and here's a thought inspired by the current presidential race,
And I don’t care, if she’s a leg model.
A Trump tattoo means you shouldn’t daddle.
and let's close out with this profound rhyme:
You won’t find her number on a restroom stall,
Preceded by the phrase: “For a good time call”.
Thanks for the read.