Tickling my toes
Off the dock
The water was halfway up my feet
It was cold, there were fish and leeches in there,
I saw Grandpa pull ‘em out on his line.
Be careful, he said, these big uns’ll bite off your toe!

Grandpa was fiercsome and smelled funny.
One time he kicked out his leg
I tripped and fell and cried
He picked my up by my shirt

Gave me a stern look in the eye, laughed,
And handed me to Grandma,
Who held me tight.
I didn’t like him.

I felt a foot in my rear
I was flying high
My eyes to the sky
Hit the water
Sputtered and shook
As Grandpa lifted me up,
Laughing with a light in his eye
Set me on the dock
He jumped in
Spread his arms,
And I jumped in,
Again, and again.