My Poem for Mum

My mother's funeral service was held this afternoon in Christchurch. She is buried alongside her second husband Dick Lee. My own health meant I could not attend. Anne read my poem at the graveside.

Betty Lee 1912-2009

She saw a giant kauri cut down
‘such a gap in the landscape’
barefoot she ran
along the trunk

Golden legs
that won many
a married ladies’
100 yards dash

Forceful at chopping
a pig’s head to pieces
to make the brawn
she knew delighted me
love comes in many guises

Competitive
she won at bowls
never forgave
the selectors when
they dropped Mehrtens

2 husbands
5 sons
& a long widowhood

Goodbye