The Party

Winter morning
Cold and crispy
Even in mourning
Memories of you
Are with me

Stocky blond boy
In the African sun
Brothers, fishing, shooting
Having fun

Very much yourself
Yet loved
Popular beyond compare
Always a laugh – and often a party
When you were there

The seeds of adventure
Thoroughly sown
You made
A far country
Your home
With a family
Of your own

Then, in
Your career
Focused on justice
Determined to be fair
Protect and serve
You never swerved

Driven to live your life
To the fullest
Despite a diagnosis
That was the cruellest

And
in the shadow of this final year
Your bravery shone
Bright
You showed no fear

Only radiant joy
At the birth of your grandson
A glittering prize
For the race you had won

Now in these bleak days
That have followed after
I see your face
And hear your laughter
Your recent words
Coming back to me:

‘Life is a party
You don’t want to leave
Especially
When the music’s playing
And you’d
Rather be staying!’

So
Even though
You’ve gone too soon
I know somehow
You’re still in the room

For our beloved Tris
Gone too soon
June 2024