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,