Charles

In Memoriam Charles Causley 24.08.1917 - 04.01.2003

Charles Causley works at the local school

And the children know that Sir's not a fool.

Tall and stringy and wearing glasses

Charles works hard when he teaches his classes.

He teaches young Tim* and Bill and Bob

'My God it isn't an easy job'

These lads are loud, unwashed, uncouth

And like football better, to tell the truth.

Teaching and learning can be a chore

The second the bell rings they race out the door

But he never wants to give them the cane

He goes over their lessons, again, again.

All Charlie's family were working class

And he wanted to give the children a chance

He chose to deepen his Launceston roots

And lived to see his learnings bear fruit.

And he played jazz piano in a dance band

Broadcast 'Poetry Please' throughout the land

Yes, back in the sixties Charles had fame

And everyone wanted a piece of his name.

So let's go down to this side of Eden Rock*

We're not sure where it is - we go and we look.

Let's read what we can of this brilliant man.

We can all take a leaf out of Charles’ book.

*Timothy Winters, the central character of CC's best known poem goes to school with a grubby neck due to parental apathy.

** Many people who remember CC have their own notions of the possible location of Eden Rock, the next best known poem. It appears to be a favourite place and also a place in the poet's imagination. I suggested to a few people that perhaps the poem could become a plaque at the Eden Project.