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Furloughed

One day on these are my clumsy words...

He supported the wrong football team. 
Had a wrong-headed attitude to rugby. 
He was into bikes big time, whilst 
I see them merely as a mode of transport. 
He championed authors that left me cold.
He was fanatical about a musician 
I can only tolerate in small doses. 
And loved dogs where I fear them. 

But his fierce loyalty inspired love. 
His humble wisdom provoked thought. 
His unpretentious creativity sparked imagination. 
His gentle laughter punctured pomposity. 
His earthy faith queried religiosity. 
His righteous anger challenged injustice 
His vulnerable honesty questioned certainties. 
His generous openness invited engagement.

He was so much of what I aspire to be. 
I will miss his incisive mind in meetings,
The bruising banter by text and twitter,
The long coffees righting the world, 
And him keeping, or putting, me right, 
Or the occasional late-night conference 
Conversation, with well-rehearsed stories 
Matured like the whiskey we shared.

Farewell, friend to me and many.
You’re on furlough now.
Shalom
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Comments

Donald Ker said…
Thank you. I share the grief felt by so many.
Friday, June 05, 2020 10:00:00 AM
Wondering said…
David, your skill at encapsulating the ineffable never disappoints...
Friday, June 05, 2020 10:53:00 AM
Charlie said…
David, this is perfect. Every word true and relatable. So warm and so fitting a tribute to our friend, Glenn, who was the best of us (even though he was a back...)
Friday, June 05, 2020 11:01:00 AM
Stephen Adams said…
Thanks David
Will never forget our final conversations together on Wednesday
Bless you
Friday, June 05, 2020 12:19:00 PM
Micky said…
Bless you and all those who will miss Glenn, he sounds like someone I would have wanted to know.
Friday, June 05, 2020 2:19:00 PM
Virtual Methodist said…
Micky you would have loved him. A deep thinker, passionate for justice, highly literate, funny, and he loved his whiskey/y
Saturday, June 06, 2020 4:36:00 AM
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