Georgia Ingram-moore
SUNDAY EXPRESS
Granddaughter co-wrote a poem as a personal tribute to Captain Sirtom, titled The Magician, which she read during the funeral service.
“We live with a magician, he makes us laugh all day,
He knows what is important and what I really want to say.
He has been beside me my whole life, seen every up and down, He lights the room with his quips, you will never see him frown. There’s this sorcery in the garden, his clever quietening of our dogs, the tomato plants he made spring up, his workshop full of cogs. He eats porridge every morning and sips cocoa every night. He loves to go for walks outside, in the mornings when it is bright. We live with a magician, he makes things disappear, like any worries I had at the start of a school year.
He makes masterpieces out of paper and stamps and string and glue,
When dragons chased us in our games he knew just what to do.
He tells stories of his loved ones, the people left behind,
He does not cry, or moan, or shout, he just says “let’s be kind”.
We cook together all the time, casseroles, roasts and stews, cakes and biscuits, sweets and shakes, they’re our favourites too.
We live with a magician, he’s taught me lots of tricks, like where to hide chocolate piled up like bricks.
He finds happiness in everything, in each and every day.
He says the key to life is to keep sad thoughts at bay.
He doesn’t mind if things are odd, like the objects in my pocket. He said only the best people carry spiders and tiny sprockets. Even when things are tough he taught to be brave,
He said “there is always light in the deepest, darkest cave”. He likes to tell us stories of daring things he’s done,
He’s climbed mountains, ridden motorbikes, he says “yes, life’s been fun”.
Is it difficult to be happy each and every day? The magician shakes his head, smiles and says “not since I came to stay”. Although we know that life moves fast, we need to stop and stare at joyful things around us because they are hidden everywhere. When we are together he makes me feel so tall.
He says I can be what I like. “What, anything at all?
Can I become an astronaut, blue whale or giant mouse?”
“Why not?” he says, “We’ll make sure to get a bigger house.” He tells me almost every day be honest and be true, to put your best foot forward and see yourself in others’ shoes. He’s taught me tons over the years and says that we’ve taught him. He said his glass was filled right up to the brim with love.
We live with a magician, he makes things disappear, his final act was really smart.
He left but he’s still here.