Grandpa's Lap

I go back to my grandfather's lap
place of security, serenity
warmth
vibrating with assonance
vowels
sounds
the alliteration of consonants
hitting his lips
his beard bouncing
tickling my neck

this is where my writing begins
every time when I find that authentic voice
buried deep inside daily concerns
constantly interrupted with the needs of the many
outside of pancakes and diaper changes
outside of due dates and tests

inside that carves space-
hearing his heartbeat
through his sweater
connected with poetry
that space is my well

I go back to my grandfather's lap
to find my voice