Ginger Ale at Grandma’s

When I drink ginger ale,

I think of my grandmother,

who always had ginger ale,

White Zinfandel and leftovers

in the fridge at her house --

the house with the 

bamboo in the backyard

and the pool table in the basement,

the house with the fireplace

and long reach matches in the living room,

and the bedrooms that my father and uncles

grew up in upstairs.

When I drink ginger ale,

I remember her contagious cackle

and raise my glass to Grand.