I hadn’t seen my grandmother in years.
She was standing by the lampstand in the small hallway
leading from the living room to the back of the house.
She was so happy to see me
and gave me the warmest hug
I can ever remember receiving.
Then she said, “alright baby. It’s time to go.”
I smiled and I said
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here with you.”
I was on my knees like an 8 year old,
clutching her legs, refusing to let go.
And then I suddenly woke up in my bed
as a 39 year old man.
My grandma had been dead for damn near 20 years.
I sobbed so loudly that I startled my girlfriend,
who was sleeping next to me.
She briefly thought that I’d lost my marbles.
~Bob E. Freeman
Nuclear Polio Vaccination 