For the Departed and the Family

When hearts are mourning, pasts are realised,

And truths come forth from depths to be addressed;

The quiet passing of a man needs grief expressed.

Time will claim the soul—that jewel prized,

But through that cloud a shining light is cast

And mem’ries vibrant chant a favoured name

To all his people—for no one could him tame;

He lived and loved—his passion was his task.

This man Mike, a star on stage and screen,

Whose life became a gift to those he knew,

Whose energy was comic—yet so true,

So honest always, and with humour keen.

In high school, I recall he gave his best;

In Seven Deadly Sins, he was so cool

And gold lamé, the greatest costume tool,

In skits and concerts—never would he rest.

Always one more joke and one more line,

But what I know for certain I will tell

When I think back as rising mem’ries swell—

I then think ‘gentleman’—so true, so fine.

Mike will not disappear and drift away;

There is another stage he must ascend

With life’s audition done; it has to end

For higher concerts, which he’ll always play.

But what is left for those who here must stay?

His legacy stays here to share with friends

For that’s his gift, and one that n’er offends

And for his fam’ly, riches every day.