My Name On Paper - Trophy Eyes

The kitchen was the coldest room in the house

And the things that never fazed you

Were starting to get harder

Like putting wood in to the stove

And your memory was getting softer

Just as I was old enough

To get to know you

Mum made me write my name for you

On butchers paper on the kitchen table

I couldn’t quite manage it back then

If only you could see now what I can do

Mum still has your old handbag

With all of your jewellery in it

I gave your pearl earrings

To the girl I love

On her 21st birthday

And all the car trips on rainy days

Trying to find where the rainbow begins

It’s my warmest memory

When mum could no longer take care of you

We had to say our goodbyes at the nursing home

You didn’t know why you can’t come back with us

I’ve never seen my mother cry so much

And I watched grandpa visit you every day he could

He would stop by the bar on his way home

When the days weren’t so good

Time alone so he wouldn’t forget

What it was like when you remembered him

I didn’t answer the phone

He walked home

And he died of a stroke

And mum gave you his wedding ring

Mum made it to a show last month

She said you’d be so proud