ON REG, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND FRIEND, February 1998

I knew him first, a navy man
Of strength and gentleness.
He had a wit which made
All moments light with
Fun and repartee. I loved
His Devon heritage, so much
A part of who he was.
Then I grew to know his
Inner depths, his thoughtfulness
And finally his love of
My dear sister, so passionate
But so gentle, and her love
For him, so warmly given
That I did not mind
Sharing her whom I loved so dearly.

The years passed and
Then more lately I was able to
Meet with him again
On the land he loved so much.
He knew every tree and every
Blade of grass. He would quiz
Me in my ignorance of
Country life – no cruelty
There, just a sharing of
His life’s work and love.
He took me here and there,
Knowing all the names
And histories of follies
And ancient churches –
Places came alive with him.

But most of all I know
That the very best joy
His life has brought him is
My sister – he cherished her
And all their time together
And told me so, unstinting in his praise.

So Reg is here now, in my
Room, dwelling in my heart
And mind. Tears I have shed,
But for what? He is my Reg
Now and forever and we will
Meet again one day and
Nought can change what
His very soul is and means to me. JEB

For more information on these poems, contact edmund@balnaves.org