Lancelot

My maternal grandfather
A larrikan
A balladier
Leathered forearms
Emblazoned with an anchor
And a swallow
Pinky fingers missing
Stolen by gout
He taught me arithmetic
And how to spell
Obscure words
His copperplate handwriting
Neatly completing crosswords
He sang like Dean Martin
And had a way with orchids
He wooed the birds
And transformed their feathers
Into magic tricks