Judy and me

 When Judy was 4, I was
in thrall to her,

following her every
command

When cutting her
finger, nothing would do

My shared cut was part
of her plan.

 

When Judy was 5, she
was upset with me,

growing what seemed
very tall

We sang for our
friends, but only if she

could stand on a fat
catalogue.

 

When Judy was 6, I was
so sick for her,

missing her and feeling
so small

But on coming home, she
taught me some sums

and spelling and
reading and all.

 

When Judy was 7, we
played a duet

contesting our childish
talent

“Stop, you're too fast,”

it had to be her

We started again, and
we won.

 

When Judy was 16, my
teacher said

I wasted my talents –
Hell to pay

Jude took up my cause,
said I played for the church

So "sorry" Nun said, but
no As.

 

When Judy was 18, I was
so glad

having a room and a
bed all my own

Being allowed to think
for myself

But still her influence
told.

 

When Judy was 21, she
looked to me

to help her in learning
to drive,

I'd been driving for
four years by then,

my pride somehow
managed to survive.

 

When Judy was 24, she
said to me,

the new bride, a new
country the plan

“How can you leave
us?” but I didn't care

I'd an adventure to
have in England.

 

When Judy was 26, she
had a babe

to match what we had
just had.

And another at 27, how
silly was that,

A girl first, and then
a small lad.

 

When Judy was 32, she
got a dog

to substitute for my
youngest babe

She devoted her life to
helping her kids

to develop and to learn
to behave.

 

When Judy was 35, she
got a babe

while we had a dog on
our minds.

A few years later, she
had a shock

As twins brought her
total to five.

 

When Judy was 40, we
wrote every week

Our visits were both
here and there.

Our kids were close and
even shared

our dimples and colour
of hair.

 

When Judy was 52 she
came here to see

Our youngest girl walk
down the aisle

But her tummy was taut
and her appetite poor

couldn't wait to return
all those miles.

 

When Judy was 52, I
went to see her

as she lost all her
hair and her pep

She was hardly awake,
but smiled as she said

The doctor says now's
the last step.

 

When Judy was 53 she
quietly died

and was laid in her
coffin so flat

I'll remember her
lessons as long as I live

No better can I say
than that.