Ah, Mignonne, in how few hours,
The petals of her purple flowers
All have faded, fallen, died;
Sad Nature, mother ruinous,
That seest thy fair child perish thus
'Twixt matin song and even tide.
94 wonderful years full of hard work, fun and excitement,
Vivian was the last of her generation and truly loved by all,
she celebrated life and taught us all to do the same,
and to pick yourself up whenever you stumble or fall.
So, you will continue to be my lifelong companion,
and I know at times, that's going to be pretty hard,
but maybe I'll take you skydiving or parasailing,
maybe I'll even pay for a meal with your library card.
You love those old black and white movies,
and from Cleveland, you've travelled afar,
and I think our wedding song was simply perfect,
because you are loved: "Just the way you are"
The Drink definitely improves your athleticism,
you think you're twice as good as you are,
there are times you can beat a speeding bullet,
but watch out for that falling star.
Because The Drink is a dreadful thing,
it will make you obese and make you fat,
and the more that you drink, the more you will drink,
it's addictive, it's as simple as that.
Firstly, I think we'll begin by looking skywards,
and thanking those in the heavens above,
because we know we've been blessed to have shared you,
we know that we've been blessed with your love.
The most loving person you could ever meet,
your infectious laugh would light up any room,
and now you have gone, the world seems darker,
how we need your smile to lift the gloom.
Hear me, my darling, speaking sooth,
Gather the fleet flower of your youth,
Take ye your pleasure at the best;
Be merry ere your beauty flit,
For length of days will tarnish it
Like roses that were loveliest.
And what is that snow in your hair?
I bet you love those little white flakes.
Want to get rid of your dandruff?
Staying off the grog is all that it takes.
So, please raise your glasses,
and find a new circle of friends,
because if you're not that careful,
the gutter is where your journey ends.
And the seeds of greatness,
don't grow in the bottom of a vodka glass,
so let's think to your glorious future,
and not drink to the glories of your past.
Drink makes you fall over,
it's staggering the effect that it has,
you simply lose your sense of balance,
(and your chic, your style and your pizzazz).
The people in the adverts,
were always young and oh so bright,
slim, exciting and attractive,
their clothes seemed to fit just right.
What a really stupid saying:
"Let's have one more for the road",
take a life when you've been drinking,
and you'll never repay what is owed.
Everyone that knew you, loved you,
and you got the most out of each and every day,
even after working such long hours you wanted more,
and that one line leaves so much left to say:
Last year I searched so many stores,
in truth, I searched long and hard, high and low,
but I ended up giving you chocolates and a card,
and now there are some things you need to know.
However, I know you would have been the best Dad ever,
because you were the finest husband on planet Earth,
and I know that (NAME) and (NAME) also miss you very much,
yes, (NAME), we all know your true and honest worth.
We love, we listen, we understand one another,
and we never take an argument to bed
and I know that, just over twenty years ago,
"I do" were the finest words I ever said.
And I know that He keeps you safe on the road,
and there's many seniors that you've driven all around,
you're appreciated by many, especially this family,
we know that it's a pure and precious gem that we've found.
But where are they now ?
I bet they're drinking even more,
because there's plenty the ads didn't say,
I think I should even up the score:
See, Mignonne, hath not the Rose,
That this morning did unclose
Her purple mantle to the light,
Lost, before the day be dead,
The glory of her raiment red,
Her colour, bright as yours is bright?
We just can't understand why you were taken from us,
but I guess in the end, you had to answer God's call,
He obviously had a greater purpose for you up there,
although what you achieved on Earth was by no means small.
I don't know how we are going to continue without you,
so I'm going to carry you here with me, in my soul,
for with you in my life, I did feel complete,
yes (NAME), you are the one that makes me completely whole.
I remember the Campari ads;
"drink this and have a great time",
"drink this and be beautiful",
"drink this if you need a rhyme".
beach wedding save the date card
Copyright Allen Jesson :o) 1995-2006
www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk