Nature's Gentleman

He helped me mechanically - my ineptness was distinctive; He was a kind man and very tough - he had hands of granite! He had kindness and humour and it made me think - If there were more like him on this sometimes cruel planet - It would be wonderful!

With incredulity and in passing he told me of the death of his son, His grief silently screaming in the twist of his mouth and the lines of his eyes. It is 34 years since this life ended that had just begun. He was 18! It was asthma! He said with genuine surprise. It is the natural order of things that this event defies.

I knew not his name; but I recognised his son's grave - When I visited the Dongara Cemetery. There was the hand of the practical artist's love That hand moulded headstone spoke of love far better than poetry 34 years! Still pristine and freshly painted - That monument of love and loss perpetuated All spoken in this headstone I just know he created