Dangerous Dan McGrew

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"Then I ducked my head, and the lights went out, and two guns blazed in the dark,
And a woman screamed, and the lights went up, and two men lay stiff and stark."
- The Shooting of Dan McGrew, Robert W. Service

A tribute to our lovely Dad, who in his last days and at 92 could still recite, word perfect, this poem (see image) copied into his army notebook, circa 1953 (age 22) despite his dementia and frailty in his latter moments with us, he never lost that spark, so etched were they, even decades on.

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A Jinjagoliath poem:
24th January 2024
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Listen to poem:

Who are you
Dan McGrew?
You sound quite mean
If rumours' true

You lodged yourself
Inside his head
Some seventy years
Still, now you're dead

A tale of love
Of bars and booze
The wheel of fate
Alas, you lose

The west was wild
Back in the day
As danger framed
Each male afray

But what of Lou?
The lady fair
Of unkissed lips
And tousled hair

A broken heart
May never mend
A scar unhealed
Until the end

So as our story
Precious told
Still held in head
Though tired and old

A life not lost
No shooting here
Just words uncovered
Crystal clear

By man with joy
For life, 'tis true
May soon reunite
With his own lady Lou

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Bill Baker

Date: 2/3/2024 5:55:00 PM

A fine tribute to you dad and his lady Lou. It's amazing what old folks remember at the oddest times, Chistopher. I really enjoy the creative way you shared this memory through your poetry. Write Own! My Poetry Soup, friend. Have a pleasant weekend. Bill

Christopher Grieves
Date: 2/3/2024 11:01:00 PM

I was astonished he could recite it word for word 70 years on. Thanks Bill :)

Maddy Rogers

Date: 1/24/2024 11:51:00 AM

What a beautiful tribute to your Father. Thank you for posting and thinking of you at this time, I hope your father feels comfortable surrounded by his loving family.

Christopher Grieves
Date: 1/24/2024 12:15:00 PM

Bless you Maddy Rogers :))