In the beginning - from our resident poet

IN THE BEGINNING FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

In the Beginning

Once upon a Time,

When the world was –

Not young, but younger –

Simpler, friendlier, not technocratic,

There was a quiet, suburban road

Bordered by neatly tended, gated gardens.

Few cars graced the driveways,

People communicated politely,

Walked, smiled often

And, generally, kept themselves to themselves.

Just over halfway down the road,

In a neighbouring garden,

A young couple planted a Weeping Willow.

In the middle of their burgeoning back garden.

It kindled their dreams

Of future generations of unimaginable wild life

Nurtured amongst the feathery foliage

Of its incipient beauty.

Ah! Sweet dreams.

Today, a Colossus bestrides the gardens,

Its impact only diminished by someone

(Incomparable in stature)

Who has lived quietly and contentedly

In her world of unchanging mores.

Happy Birthday, Maureen.

Ad multos annos!