My grandfather stares at the flames in the propane fireplace
his palm wrapped loosely around a warm cup of coffee;
barefoot, he bares the soles of his feet
to the cold carpet, the colder floorboards underneath.
His eyes are deep blue, his hair a deeper gray
he stares at his reflection like the reflection of a ghost.
He remembers the farm, wheat fields and cold winters
forgets the names and faces of his children.
About the Poet
Brandon McQuade was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He graduated from the University of New Brunswick with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in English (2015). In 2016, he attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained an M.Phil in Irish Writing. His work has previously appeared in BlazeVox Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 issues, and College Green, an annual postgraduate literary journal published by Trinity College Dublin.
Vita Brevis Press. 
A heartbreaking yet beautiful poem