I wrote this poem to read out during the funeral service. I had struggled with a few anecdotes and memories as the basis of a speech, without much of a clue as to how I could make it hang together. After much headscratching, a couple of lines that rhymed occurred to me to describe one such memory, and from there I thought why not run with that format. Once the decision was made, the words just flowed and within two hours I had the poem you see here.
I was concerned that delivering these words to a chapel full of people was fraught with pitfalls, but when it came to it my fears were unfounded and I kept the required composure - I like to think I had encouragement from my biggest fan, and hope that my efforts passed muster with my harshest critic.
These words are from the heart, and much of it will only mean anything to a few people.This poem is a personal tribute to my soulmate Indy who shared an unforgettable decade with me. I love you and will never forget you, Indy.


AquaLibra

A whirlwind romance – truly love that first night,
No heed being paid to the new year bun fight.
We talked for hours of all things till the sun’s first rays,
And so we were joined for the rest of our days.

Leave Bristol behind and we’ll change our luck,
Save for the sofa escaping the pick-up truck.
We didn’t much like it anyway,
New town, new life, and a brand new day!

The coming together of two lost souls,
We found each other to became one whole.
My brains, your charm, and as a team
We might even keep the kitchen clean,

The sweetest of decades formulating plans,
Tie the knot, take my name, start a Cleere clan.
Fear not past failures and be strong
We two together, what can go wrong?

I woke to the sweetest of smiles on your face.
Are you dreaming you’re with me in a beautiful place?
Now I must start thinking of ‘I’ not ‘We’,
And I shan’t be drinking quite as much tea.

Together we had so much more life to live,
You were blessed with boundless love to give.
Not once did you ever neglect to say
“Have I told you I love you yet today?”

Together we’d stare up at the starry sky.
Gazing alone tonight, this is sadly goodbye.
The heavens lit bright by our favourite full moon,
Our parting has come far too soon.