11/11/2024
I don't just write poems for weddings and birthdays. I also write poetry to capture the most important words of all - goodbye. I know how it feels to lose someone you love, and to want to do them justice at their funeral. Let me help you convey what you're feeling in your heart with personalised and sensitive poetry to celebrate their life.
I wrote this speech for my Grandad's funeral a few years ago (read out by my sister because I wasn't able to be there). I wanted it to capture his humor and vitality, as well as celebrate his incredible life.
Hi! So I have written something for Grandad to be read by Charlie for you all today. I loved Grandad so much, and have learned so much from him. He loved to tell stories, and I loved to listen to them. It was his way of connecting to us even when he lost his sight and couldn’t hear as easily. I would sit as close to him as possible whenever we came to see him, to make sure I didn’t miss anything (and so he could hear and see me!). When Grandad told a story he would light up, he’d become a showman, funny and witty and entertaining. I’m sure Charlie will do her best to emulate that for you all today ;). To help her, I’ve collected a few of Grandad’s ‘best bits’ from his stories over the years - and I’ve also made it rhyme, just for fun.
A Poem for Grandad
You’ve told me your stories
Full of humour and wit
I soaked up every one of them
And I’ll share your best bits
Written off as a baby
‘Not viable’ they said
But the nurse disagreed
‘Just keep him warm and well-fed’
He said you wouldn’t last the night
33,885 nights later
You lived for 93 years
Turns out doc was just a hater
--- (shout out to Dr Hampsen) ---
You once got yourself a ball
By collecting coupon strips
You were so excited to have your own
Until a bus blew it to bits
You have a history of sporting dreams
Getting blown sky high
You were chosen to do Man U trials
But a bomb wouldn’t let you try.
Speaking of bombs, and fighter jets
Grandad won us the war!
The war was over, they’d heard the news
He’d signed up the day before.
You were always social, and playing sports
The field held your closest friends
Even though you always hurt yourself
And with age it took longer to mend
Your friends sound really funny,
They helped you through hard times
With pranks and practical jokes
Like wedding night bell chimes.
---(shout out to Selwyn Mathews)--
Even though you lived opposite
Elaine all your life
It was sport that helped you meet her
Your partner, then your wife
You played badminton together
The extent of your courting
When I asked how you started dating
You said ‘I don’t know, I wasn’t looking!’
You took her to the pictures,
But school kids kept saying hey,
‘Mr Poynton over here!’
Until you ‘looked at them in a hard way’
--- *insert Grandads look so everyone knows what you’re talking about* ---
I wish I had met Granny,
But I suppose that’s just life
Granny knew that when she took you out
‘To find you a new wife.’
But you didn’t need
To find anybody new
You still had all your children
And that was plenty of work to do
Not just the four you birthed
(Although they were hard enough)
But all the kids you taught in school
Generations of the stuff
I’m sure every single person
Would want to thank you now.
For teaching us to live life fully, and with love,
And for demonstrating how.
Thank you for teaching me to live for the little things, because often they make the best stories, and hold the most beauty. I love you so much, Grandad. I hope I can make you proud. I’ll save all my stories up, and keep making more, ready for when I see you again.
Love, Ellie
