David Shepherd's 70th Birthday on 30/4/2011

Poem by Robin Sinclair on the occasion of David Shepherd's 70th Birthday

THE LIFE OF DAVID

Anglo-Celtic by his roots

But South Australian to his boots

By training engineer (and tinker)

By inclination, poet and thinker,

Behold a man of many parts

Participator in the Arts

A modest pianist and singer

(and yet we know a real humdinger!)

Intrepid cryptic crossword fan -

He’ll do the whole thing if he can!

Husband, father, grandson minder,

Gourmet and master chef (well kinda!)

Lover of all, (except the possum

Which eats his fruits and wrecks his blossom.)

Loyal supporter of good works

(this duty’s one he never shirks).

For politics he’s got an eye:

No doubtful scheme can pass him by

Without incurring David’s ire:

Some blistering words may then transpire

World observer, ardent traveler:

Of mystery tales a keen unraveller;

But – cunning murder party actor,

Where wile and guile are both a factor

Of alibis a keen evolver

Adept at poison and revolver!

Who would have guessed what depths we’d meet,