We never thought we'd see the day
That off to heaven she'd be on her way
But eventually that day came
So off she went, the Cast Iron Dame
She thought that she would join young Steve
Who'd up and died the previous eve
I can see her meeting him at the gate
Saying 'Crikey How'd you get here mate'
She's been gone now a little while
And lamenting ain't our family's style
But she had so much guts and strength
And sometimes smart comments to dispense
Like many her age there'd been some strife
During the course of her eventful life
But her love and dedication to her man
You'd have had to have seen to understand
Through years of his agony and pain
She cared and supported again and again
Attending to his every want and need
Such dedication is a dying breed
It's been many years since he passed on home
And for many years she was alone
She struggled through illness her fair share
With all of her normal grace and flair
Then she got old and found it rough
Until finally she'd had enough
There's not many I'll miss as much in this world
As I miss the awesome 'Daisy Pearl'
Author notes
A dedication to my awesome Nanna. I am trying not to be too sentimental, she'd hate that, she was as about as sentimental as a brick (much like me). My Father used to say she was made of cast iron and I'm sure she was!! She died at 90, the day after Steve Irwin died and we had no doubt she'd be giving him heaps in heaven. She had hordes at her funeral, including 'secret families' showing up that she'd adopted and loved for years that we, her real family, knew nothing about. What an awesome woman!!
In a list
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A contest entry
- Why so far away? by MalevolentDesire.
400 points, ended May 15, 2008, 27 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Options Contest by Simply Simple.
1000 points, ended June 7, 2008, 83 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Intersesting....
What a lovely dedication. I'm sure she would've loved it.
Excellent work. 
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Our cast iron lady and matriarch of the family was called Grandy. And I always suspected it was short for "Grand Dame". I can imagine her snorting at the title, but she married at 14 and remained devoted to her husband until the day she died. Since he was 35 when they married, he was gone long before her.
Grandy, too, was not given to verbal sentiment, but I have a climbing yellow rose from her that still says, "I love you" everytime I see it.
Maybe you'll write some of your Grandma's stories for posterity, Bex?
The love in your poem shines through your words, and I think Daisy Pearl would probaby have her old heart melted on the spot. Don't you just love the legacies they leave us? ~ Karen
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Yes I do love the legacy Karen, my mum is now the 'matriarch' and filling the shoes nicely. My nanna did get very trying towards the end and my mother has made me promise her that if she gets like that I have to 'dong her on the head' LOL!! I'm sure she won't be though, she too much of an easy going air-head like me!!
They did get married young didn't they back then! My Great Gran was married at 15, had her first child at 16 and last one at 46 with 12 others in between.
My 'I love you' memory is a song which everytime I hear it I am reminds me of my Nanna and her love for me. The song is 'The Riddle' by Nik Kershaw and there is a lovely little story associated with it which I will write one day. -
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Ohhhh! I hope you do write that lovely little story.
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Wonderful
Sorry, but you are sentimental and you expressed it so well. That kind of dedication, strength, and commitment is rare. I felt like I knew her. Thanks for sharing your memory of someone special.
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Thank you for you kind comments, she was very special, in the years before she died I did a scrapbook album up of her photo's and memories which has become something very special in our family. She told me lots of wonderful stories about what it was like growing up in her family, how tough it was. It made me feel very close to her.
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Beautiful tribute
She does sound like an awesome woman. I don't know if I can agree that you are "as sentimental as a brick", though, or you wouldn't be able to write with the feeling that you do. (This poem, for instance.) Bricks don't write very well. They have nothing to hold the pen with.
You're right - she was cut from a cloth that has become much more rare. People who stood by each other, no matter what. In some cases, it's not very wise, such as where abuse is involved. Lack of dedication is justified then. But if the spouse is just sick, as seems to be the case with your nanna's husband, dedication is nothing short of saintly. I would have loved to meet her.
Mark
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Yes, she was amazing, pretty grumpy towards the end because she hated being old and sick (I can understand) My Pa suffered for years of Multiple Sclerosis, but before he'd got sick he'd doted on her, so then she doted on him. She was buried with his love letters in her pocket. No one knows but I was the only one in the family who she ever let read them. They were beautiful. So I guess she was a little bit sentimental, she just hid it well.
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Oh my God. That is so sweet. I think you should add a verse to this poem about her taking his love letters with her to heaven. Just the thought brings a tear to my eye. God bless her.
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Yeah I could do that, I'll wait until after they judge the comp, then I'll add one in.
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