Wrinkled hands are witnesses
Of hardships you have known
In by-gone times they laboured hard
To fed, to clean, to sow

With young soft hands,
You nurtured, cared and loved
To children raised and all you met
With them you spread your warmth

Distant eyes are witnesses
Of misery you've seen
Through war you lived
Hunger you felt
How strong you must have been

Clear and blue
In younger days
They watched the world change
A lifetime of your memories
Now slowly fade away

Fragile legs are witnesses
Of steps you took in time
On winding roads
And cloudy days
So many hills you climbed

With determined pace
They carried you
To all who you held dear
No obstacle ever too great
For always you were on your way
So we could hold you near

Thin white hairs are witnesses
Of sorrow and of tears
Always sharing other's pain
Years of worries
Dyed your locks
A reminiscent shade of grey

Once they clustered around your face
Shining black as night
Hugged your pretty face
Your pride and joy
Left to remind us
Time we cannot fight

Pale soft lips are witnesses
Of words spoken to our ears
Gave courage, strength
And good advice
Took away our fears

A million kisses they have kissed
Brushed and touched my face
If only I could keep them all
Lock them away
To save

Mumbled thoughts are witnesses
Of memories you enjoy
The vivid ones
You repeat to us
Do us laugh and cry with joy

Once so bright
So beautiful
So strong
And so aware
Now frail and old
I fear the day
When you may not be there

We used to chat
Hours on end
We laughed, we walked, we played
A shadow of your former self
I watch you
And with aching heart
I know you cannot stay

Your memories blurred
Your smile is faint
The woman I once knew
Is disappearing from my life
Nothing I can do

The letters which you wrote to me
The poems which you rhymed
The presents which you gave to me
I will keep forever
Near my side

But they could never take you place
And nothing will undo
The pain I feel deep in my heart
For fear of losing you

I wish that I could stop the clock
That ticks your life away
I want you always by my side
And have you near
I wish there was a way

So hard for me to come to terms
With what now lies ahead
All through my life
You have been there
You made me what I am

As guide and friend
You gave your love
When pain was all I knew
When no one cared
Alone and scared
There was always you

My teary eyes are witnesses
Of a fate that waits us all
My oldest, fondest, dearest love
I must live on
And find the strength
To say goodbye
And let you go

As I watch you
Brave and proud
Tears softly start to flow
Flowing down the cheeks you kissed
Before you go
Some of me already dies
Grandma dearest
I will miss you so
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