What happy memories Africa has given me

“The last time I’ll glory in an African dawn, The last chance to see an elephant born, The last lion, leopard, cheetah, cat, How can I come to terms with that?…How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”  Winnie the Pooh

Albie sent this heartfelt quote
And this is what I duly wrote
Inspired by the sentiment enclosed
Ref: something you are just about to lose

The last time I shall spy for Freda, gladly.
The last time I’ll help Petla win a silver mug*.
The last time Mia gives a generous hug.

The last time I’ll see Peter, wife and son.
The last time we will share a cringing pun.
The last time Millie has to be seen
To find a destination where I’ve never been.

The last time I’ll glory in an African dawn
The last chance to see an elephant born
The last lion, leopard, cheetah, cat
How can I come to terms with that?

The last forty years have allowed me
To come to love each great country.
I’ve visited. In fact, so many over time
That listing them would tax my skills with rhyme

What happy memories Africa has given me
Captured in photographs – thanks Albie!
How sad that this last visit to leave a stone
On that cairn of memories is done alone

Old age brings rewards but also pain
Life will never seem the same again
But the glass is not half empty but half full – to quote the bard:
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Jaqueline Strong

*(For her English project – compliments and a prize – poetic licence)