For Jane [In Memory of Her Grandpa]

 [Normandy October 2017]

To My Dear French Mum/ Froppins x

Dancing beyond the waves in Normandy,

He looks and he smiles as she wishes upon the sea,

That he may now rest and forever be free.

He is not seated within a bare coffin,

For such a man could never be forgotten. 

He lives in our hearts,

For as he departs,

His soul runs free, upon the beaches of Normandy. 

His gallantry and honour now rests within a medal,

As generations play upon tractors and pedal-

Outside on the lawn of Moon and Pacha’s home, 

She must now remember that neither she, nor he, is alone. 

He whispers in the autumnal air, 

And releases from the umber branch, a ripe green pear.

In this he shows that his life goes on,

So before you sleep remember him saying ‘bonne…

Nuit’.

Dancing beyond the beaches of Normandy,

He sits upon the heavenly sea,

And raises a cup of wine or tea,

And says: Dear Jane, you will always be with me.