Visiting Grandma

Charlie, you must know Old Grandma Vivienne is a wild old hoot,
No more than that, she's a crazy old bat,
No, no, no, a sadistic psychedelic maniac
So as mother always says: Don't listen to what she says, don't take her candy when offered, and don't smell her flowers,
She used to be an apothecary you know.
Oh Lydia! I'm sure she's not so bad, just you wait I'm sure Old Grandma Vivienne is nice,
No Charlie! Don't listen to what she says, don't take her candy when offered, and don't smell her flowers!
She used to be a mortician you know
She can't be all of those things, Lydia! But! I promise that I won't listen to what she says, I won't take her candy when offered, or smell her flowers
Good Charlie, because she used to be a taxidermist you know.
At early noon, Charlie trekked through weeds and fallen logs,
Chanting all Lydia had told him: Don't listen to what she says, don't take her candy when offered, and don't smell her flowers
He tumbled over moss scabbed rocks and waddled around scampering woodland animals
All to get to Old Grandma Vivienne's house
And upon his arrival she was a sweet old woman
A few snaggly teeth, and she needed a bit of combing here and there, perhaps a new dress, but she was a sweet old woman,
Upon his arrival.
They talked about her various occupations and affairs she had dealt
She'd say some things that Charlie didn't know what to believe
But Lydia's chant was overrun by Old Grandma Vivienne's callous voice
Would you like a cup of tea?
Yes please, Grandma Vivienne,
She used to be an apothecary you know.


-anna sluder

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