John Le Carré - d. December 13th 2020

Reading you was my Fall:

before, glam spies in cars; 

after, a drab inner world,

lamplit by career shadows,

pieces on a board, trading

stock and scalps, made real

by the pen of true Control.

Charley Pride - d. December 12th 2020

After you they undrew 

the lines, wedged open

the Opry doors, spun 

both sides of the disc.

This morning an angel

told me you cannot keep 

a song from being sung.

Barbara Windsor - d. December 10th 2020

Spying, Doctor, 

Camping, Again Doctor, 

Henry, Matron, Abroad, 

Girls, Dick, Giggling,

Flirting, Disrobing, 

Pouting, Bitching, 

Barring, Shaaaahting, 

Struggling, Smiling, 

Carrying On.

Read about Barbara Windsor here

Doug Scott - d. December 7th 2020

When I face my own ascent

I pray I'll see you up ahead,

tapping in pitons, belaying  

the rope, pointing out 

the favourable pitch, then

reaching down to haul me

up those final few feet.

Read about Doug Scott here

Chuck Yeager - d. December 7th 2020

A peaceful glide home?

Shoulda gone in '47,

smouldering 

in a burnt-out bullet, 

barrel-rolled or broken 

by unrecoverable spin,  

demon grinning gleefully 

as you hammer 

on those titanium gates.

Read about Chuck Yeager here

Peter Alliss - d. December 6th 2020

In my inner game

I hear that voice -

the amiable duffer, 

unreconstructed,

every observation

underclubbed in an

overclubbed world.

Read about Peter Alliss here

Hugh Keays-Byrne - d. December 1st 2020

Death is the Bronze

you cannot outrun, 

even on the swiftest bike,

down the emptiest road.

I will remember you

when I look up 

at the night sky.

Read about Hugh Keays-Byrne here