MOTACILLA ALBA ( wagtail ) POEM FOR Dad (Roger Gamble) written by daughter Paula

I DIDN’T HAVE A TITLE FOR THIS POEM BUT I BELIEVE SOMETHING HAPPENED THE MOMENT YOU
DIED

A LITTLE WAGTAIL WAS RIGHT BY OUR SIDE.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD IDEA, BUT NOT SO SURE NOW I’M STANDING HERE

WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE LOOKING ON TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE THAT’S GONE.

MUSICIANS ARTISTS FRIENDS AMOUNGST THEM -

SO I’LL TRY MY BEST WITHOUT DELAY SO JUST GET ON WITH IT YOU’D SAY

SO LITTLE BIRD WHO’S FLYING HIGH

THESE ARE MY WORDS TO YOU FROM I

MATTY GOT ALL YOUR MUSIC MASTERY

AND JEN AND BECK FOLLOW YOU FOR ARTISTRY.

I GAINED PRACTICAL SKILLS LIKE MENDING THINGS FROM BIT AND BOBS – THAT’S JUST THE
TICKET TO FINISH THE JOB.

SO I THOUGHT WHAT CAN I DO – SO I WROTE A POEM JUST FOR YOU

YOU WERE THERE AT MY BEGINNING LIKE I WAS THERE FOR YOU AT THE END
IT CAME SO FAST IT REALLY IS SO HARD TO COMPREHEND.

IT’S BEEN SO LONG THOSE 92 YEARS BUT SUCH A LIFE YOU LIVED

JOINED TO DEAREST CHRIS LIKE SUPER GLUE AND FAMILY AND FREINDS AROUND YOU TOO.

UNTIL THE LAST YOU WERE STILL CLIMBING LADDERS (MUCH TO MY DISMAY) OR PAINTING
PICTURES, SINGING THE BLUES

WATCHING CRICKET, KEEPING UP WITH THE NEWS,

EATING CHEEKY CHOCOLATE BARS AND OF COURSE YOUR LOVE OF SMELLY BONFIRES.

UNTIL THE SANDS OF TIME RAN OUT WHICH PUT THE KIBOSH ON YOUR PLANS,

IT’S BEEN A GREAT GIFT TO BE PART OF ALL THIS SO NOW GO TO SLEEP AND FORGET ALL THOSE
LISTS

NOW YOU ARE CLEAR OF BORING SITUATIONS AND THOSE THAT IRITATE YOU AND ALL THAT’S
YOU DISLIKE HAS GONE.

NO MORE WATCHING NORWCH GO DOWN OR LOSE TO THE DREADED IPSWICH TOWN

BUT ALL YOU LOVED AND ENJOYED STILL HERE IT’S IN OUR HEARTS WE HOLD IT DEAR.

IT’S IN THE PAINTINGS ON OUR WALLS & YOUR SONGS WE PLAY WHENEVER WE’RE HAVING A DISMAL DAY.

SO BEFORE I OUTSTAY MY WELCOME & YOU SEND ME AWAY ONE LAST TIME

I MUST PUT MY FOOT DOWN AS I HAVE ONE LAST THING TO SAY

DAD I PROMISE WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER
BRUSSELS SPROUT.

MISS YOU DAD