ATHOLL KIRKWOOD
1997-2020
Poem For Atholl
On the day that you left us forever,
it was as beautiful as any February day could be.
Hardly a cloud marked the calm blue mantle of winter sky that morning. The sun shone brightly, everything touched by its rays made radiant. The garden showed fresh life, vital green signs, the herald of a new Spring.
Flocks of birds flew overhead, darting and wheeling their way across rooftops, the white undersides of their wings
throwing flashes of light as they passed by on their mission. Beautiful they were, but a reminder that life was rushing on
and you were not here to see,
not here to share in the wonder that is held in the smallest of everyday things.
How impossible it seems that our paths through life, so closely entwined, should forever be broken. We think of all the things not said or done, because we did not know your lease on life was short. Many times you were told you were loved,
but now that number is not high enough.
We learn that death from life is a mere heartbeat away and a chance lost may be lost forever.
How cruel it seems that life should be lived without you,
yet still you feel close by.
Each has gathered memories of you which keep you alive in hearts and minds, memories collected as we watched you grow,
memories of your triumphs and your troubles too,
and memories of the complexities that made you
unique and so very precious to us.
We remember your intelligence, as a lover of books and of words and ideas. We remember your keen eye for the beautiful, wherever that may be found. We remember your interest in the world, your knowledge and your insight. We remember your loyalty and companionship and acts of kindness often shown.
We remember that you were a skilled artist, while even very young. We remember your encyclopaedic knowledge of cars
and your dream of owning your own.
We remember your appreciation of nature
and your love of collecting odd things.
We remember your helpfulness and your willingness for hard work.
We remember that you met life head on and were an explorer at heart. We remember your keen sense of humour and your quirky style.
We remember your strengths and weaknesses, each made the person we knew. We remember most of all that you loved and were loved.
Those you have left behind must bear burdens and may grow old and weak, but the cares of this world can harm you no more,
you who will remain forever young.
Our hearts yearn for just one more day,
for one more yesterday with you,
a chance for one more embrace,
to tell you that our love is strong and will never leave you.
Your spirit will endure, it will find us with fleeting touches made each day, in all places, at times of quiet reflection, and in the passing moments of life. We pray that we will join once again in some other time and far off realm. Until then our beautiful “Atholl K”, “our boy”,
we hold you with much love in our hearts.
© Lorna Kirkwood-Smith 2020
Atholl Kirkwood
- Born Edinburgh May 6 1997
- Son, grandson,cousin, nephew and
friend
- Sadly left us on February 8th 2020
_______________________________
9 February 2021
One year on and you are missed so much my darling.
On some days
you lap softly over my feet,
a familiar tide,
like the replay in my mind,
as I recite your lilting
Hi there call,
to remember your voice.
On some days
you spill over me,
a torrent that uproots,
knocks my centre off-balance.
In the maelstrom
I am cast again
into that dark sea.
On sunlit days you visit,
when birds on a mission fly by,
when I walk the city that is yours,
when your candle burns bright,
when I see an odd hat!
Not nowhere
my love, but everywhere.
Mum X
8 February 2022
