Pa

Young lad sitting on your lap Listening to a concert on the radiogram The rest of the family around us in the front room I could never thank you enough for instilling me with a passion for music I hated learning the violin But wish I had persevered with the piano Boniface, scar face The holidays that we had thanks to Concorde and your hard work with English-French, French-English translations Ironic that Concorde too is now laid to rest You were always so well dressed Happiest in your blazer and ties Even when we were walking the downs and staying in youth hostels Reliving the formative years that you felt you never had As you enthusiastically play your violin in our school orchestra I can’t have made it easy for you with my behaviour… Daydreaming… Hyperactivity… And failure to study The things you and I used to talk about Your grin Your laugh Taking you for a curry A pleasure you enjoyed too infrequently But there was also your darker side… When you lost your temper… Your intolerance to… Noise… Cars… Dogs… Football… And popular music It always made me smile when, As a grandfather, You so enjoyed kicking a football with your grandchildren Thank you for The music The walking The pride you had in us And for your love