On hearing of the death of Bill

[Hully]

We were tractor drivers, pilots, agronomists and worse
Salesmen and managers and even more diverse.
We were a fairly motley crew, connected through our work
But that was how we were back then, and how it was in Bourke

We had many different ages represented in our crew
And though we all were different, our differences were few
And together we had settled on a ski-ing holiday
So had gathered on a mountain for a chance to get away

Bill was the elder statesman – (or at least he thought it so)
We were still too young and dumb to know all that we didn’t know
So he’d offer his advice on things we obviously needed
But it mostly went unheard and always went unheeded

By this I mean that Bill was an acquaintance, more than friend
Well, we all were to each other, there is no need to pretend
For we did not know each other then with bonds that ran too deep
But still took something from that time that we would always keep

We had hired out a cabin to accommodate us all
And we therefore shared some spaces that were relatively small
You could not avoid each other, and so none of us had tried
Each night we drank and joked, and sometimes laughed or cried

I remember late one evening there was only Bill and I
Sitting there around the table while the evening passed us by
And we got to know each other a little better than before
As he shared some vivid detail of his experience with war

These were the sort of stories that were not often discussed
And the fact that he spoke freely formed an instant bond of trust
Bill also spoke that evening on real tragedy he had known
And I learnt how life had hit him so much harder than was shown

These things may well be widely known – or perhaps by just a few
I never talked to anyone about the things I knew
I can still remember reeling at his tales of loss and war
And I wondered how a man could bear the bourdons that he bore

We were brothers for a moment, and before the chance had gone
I asked him how it was he had been able to ‘go on’
I remember what he told me, I’ve remembered ever since
For he leant across the table to ensure or to convince

He said “Life is like an unread book that’s opened out before you,
You can never know what stories future chapters carry for you,
And you cannot turn the pages back, nor can you stop at stages
You must live through every chapter, and must keep turning the pages”

Might seem like a drunkards wisdom, but to me a noted fact
So we came down from that mountain - with our hangovers intact
And I’ve kept that lesson with me through the later days and years
I’ve applied that piece of knowledge to my bruises and my tears

I apply that piece of knowledge when I think about my life
And it helps me come to terms with times of trouble and of strife
It’s the knowledge Bill applied to life’s many scrapes and spills
That philosophy also meant that he would keep on climbing hills

He would keep on tasting life, living each and every line
of his story that unfolded whether random or designed
Every word is worth embracing, whatever it imposes
And a brand new page is opened – each and every time one closes

I last saw Bill at Hungerford, he was travelling with some friends
Dealing with a bit more sadness, but not out to make amends
And he might have had some questions, or may have had some doubt
But he was clearly moving forward, that’s what he was all about

I took the news like everyone, with sadness and with shock
I took myself down to the river – for a drink, and to take stock
I toasted Bill and thanked him for the wisdom of the ages.
‘Live every chapter of your life, and keep turning your pages’

h

[LongMan]

G'day h,

Yeah I liked this one very much...esp the last line...

PHIL.

[Hully]

Thanks Phil,
Bill's bereaved partner has purchased a park-seat at the Coffs Harbour Botanic Gardens and has used the last line as his memorial inscription....so she liked it too !!

h

[william williams]

thanks Hully a beautiful poem of truth and life god bless

bill w

[Bob Pacey]

Holy crap Bill I thought you had gooooone


Bob

[william williams]

Sorry Bob you ain't that lucky. Hullys written about some one else

bill w

[Terry]

A great story and some words of wisdom as well Hully - I also like that last line

I'm just hoping my book's a thick one, with plenty more pages to turn.

Terry