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Steve Irwin - Nature's Greatest Defender

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He had the heart of a lion and the faith of a child.
The animals lost their greatest defender today.
Seems what is true for them is true for our Steve.
We never know what we have until it's taken away.

If we could bottle just a fraction of his enthusiasm,
We could provide electricity to the world for a year.
That's what it takes to make a splash on this earth -
An unshakeable devotion to the thing you hold dear.

For Steve, it was the great, glorious majesty of nature
And all of God's creatures, strong or weak, big or small.
He introduced us to friends we never knew that we had.
Whether friendly or ferocious, our Steve loved them all.

Like all the great adventurers, he reveled in nature,
As close to the earth as a baby to its mother's breast.
A modern Doctor Doolittle, animals seemed to trust him.
His sheer joy was infectious and he brought out our best.

The day he died, nobody could believe it was possible.
He was a real, live superhero and superheroes don't die.
We cried for Terri, for sweet Bindi, and for little Robert.
It was so sudden, we didn't have a chance to say goodbye.

So goodbye, dear friend.  I hope we can meet again someday.
I hope God blesses you richly for all the work you have done.
For who deserves more than one who protects His creation?
I hope heaven is a place where you can climb, swim and run.

I hope animals are there, for God knows how you loved them.
I hope you can feel the sun and the wind through your hair.
I hope you're reunited with Sui, your old, faithful companion.
I hope you're playing with her right now, somewhere up there.

I hope your family's sadness is replaced with happy memories
Of your great spirit, warmth and humor that no one could resist.
And I hope that we, humanity, will learn the lesson you taught -
That not just man, but all life on earth, has a right to exist.


- Mark Rickerby



(The first line was borrowed from Change This World, a tribute song for Steve Irwin written by Mark McDuff and sung at his Memorial service by Steve McGahan.)

Here's a link if you'd like to hear the song
and watch the one-hour memorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z7drBmh-g4

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Comments

1 - 14 of 14

  • AusStar gold member
    May 7

    Edit | Reply
    I hate to say it but I think his families sadness is being replaced by lots of money. Sometimes I wonder how Steve would feel about it all. I hope no one ever does anything to discredit what he worked so hard for.

  • sidewinder silver member
    December 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    animals and nature lost a hero in its cause when Steve passed away.
    a defender for those who can't speak for themselves.
    Tis a sad day indeeed!


  • Wayne Leon Learmond
    September 18, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    WONDERFUL DEDICATION

    STUNNING DEDICATION TO A REALLY GREAT MAN AND NATURIST. STEVE IRWIN, RIP MATE. BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF DEEP EMOTION AND DEDICATION HERE. WONDERFUL SENTIMENTS.

    YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT POSTING THIS TO HIS WIFE AND CHILD. I AM SURE THEY WOULD BE THRILLED.

    ALL THE BEST TO YOU MARK, MY MAN

    WAYNE

    . Rewarded 6


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 18, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks, Wayne. I did send this to his family, and to the zoo. I received a very nice form letter back saying they received thousands of letters so it will probably never see the light of day or make it into his family's hands, understandably. He was a pretty popular guy, after all. Ah well, I tried.

      Thanks again, Wayne. It's a pleasure to meet you.

      Mark

  • dp robertson
    September 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Mark,

    I wrote a poem once about loving an animal, it was a little different to this. This is a good tribute and congrats on the gold (edited by moderator)

    David

    (edited by moderator)

    . Rewarded 8


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 7, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Loving an animal? Do I dare ask you to give me the link? Hey, don't knock my buddy Steve. Us diehard patriots stick together you know! lol Anyway, your opus on ol' Steve-o was kick ass any way you slice it, and probably would have placed if it had been a poem, you non-conformist you.

      How's everything else going over there, man? Drop me an email and catch me up with all the latest when you have a second.

      M

  • sewasham gold member
    September 6, 2007

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    A truly touching dedication to great wildlife warrior. R.I.P. Steve Irwin. Good job Mark. Take care and Have fun. Steve

    . Rewarded 4

  • amateurpoetess
    September 6, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Mezmorizing read! As all your works are

    What a phenomenon he(Steve Irwin) was/is! His loving legacy is still alive in his gift of education and protection of all the worldly inhabitants. Its a blessing that so many were touched by and influenced to do more for the animal kingdom because of just one enthusiastic and dedicated man.

    . Rewarded 6


  • Asdzaa Nadleehe silver member
    September 4, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Your dedication to a man who was and will forever remain loved by so many is truly touching..
    So sad that he should be taken from this earth..
    I adore his enthusiasm for life..
    We need more men like him in the world..
    Best wishes with this entry...
    Peace
    ~A~

    . Rewarded 6


  • Grieving-Willow
    September 4, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    RIP Steve!!!

    Aw! You made me cry! This is a beautiful tribute to Steve, this is going into my favorites. You write so beautifully about a no doubt incredible, wonderful man. He was my hero, he was everyone's hero, and I can't believe this month will be one year!!!

    We miss you Steve! I hope in some way, you are able to read this.

    . Rewarded 6


  • She Has My Heart
    September 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is absolutely perfect...it really is brilliant

    The last stanza says it all really...my favourite line is:

    He was a real, live superhero and superheroes don't die.

    You've done such a wonderful job with this, a great tribute, written brilliantly that rhymes and flows and deserves the gold! Though that is not the point ^^

    Great job x take care x

    . Rewarded 6


  • PhantomsAngel87 Greeters member
    September 1, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Mark Rickerby

    Thank you for your entry

    I have to admit I love the background and the layout for this poem, with the two pics and the link down the bottom, that is very sweet of you

    This whole write is wonderful and made me wanna cry as I remember Steve, not a bad cry either A good one for he was a great man who is missed everyday

    Best of luck in the contest
    Stay safe
    ~Amanda

    . Rewarded 8


    • Mark Rickerby gold member
      September 1, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to write it. I've been wanting to write something for him but I tend to avoid painful thoughts, and his passing sure is one of them. Wildlife really needed a champion like him with so many forces destroying it constantly in the name of short-term profits.

      Thanks again,

      Mark

      • dp robertson
        September 7, 2007
        Edit | Reply
        Wildlife really needed a champion like him with so many forces destroying it constantly in the name of short-term profits.

        thank god there is no oil in north queensland otherwise those crocs would be called terrorists!
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