For George


I wanted to write George a poem
To mark this most auspicious day
But when I sat down to write it
I just couldn't think what to say!
He's been part of the family for ages
It feels like he's always been there
And try as we might he still turns up
And parks his wee bum on a chair
We've been down the road of food poisoning
But we've not had much joy with this sin
Either his gut has a cast iron lining
Or he's killed off the germs with the gin!
And as for his strange way of speaking
We don't know what he says half the time
The accent's not really the problem
It's the content that stumps me and mine.
Now today is a very big milestone
His birthdays add up to three score
Hope that means that his very old muscles
Might prevent him walking down to our door
But when all's said and done it's his birthdays
And it's time that I said something nice
But as I said I am struggling to do that
And I've already kissed his cheek twice!
I'm told some things are just meant to happen
There are those things we simply can't stop
Despite all of our strenuous efforts
And we're getting to old now to swap
So I suppose we'll just have to accept him
Along with his really strange ways
And throw the occasional party
Like the one we are having today


By Sally Ogier 27/07/2019