Bill Kerr - d. August 28th 2014

We knew you for the half-hours
you couldn't even call your own,
but every nimble second hand
needs a steady minute hand
to tell how fast they turn.

Read about Bill Kerr here

Richard Attenborough - d. August 24th 2014

When we abandon

the cinema of our minds

you will be somewhere

in that final screening.

Until then,
all your crew can do

is wind, reel and print.

Read about Richard Attenborough here

James Alexander Gordon - d. August 18th 2014

In every town and city

your voice united all divisions,

but here is a late result -

match abandoned,

the prospect of a replay;

nil.

Read about James Alexander Gordon here

Lauren Bacall - d. August 12th 2014

She didn't have to say 
anything,
she didn't have to do
anything,
but in the dark dormitory
of the biggest sleep
she glowed
like a lit cigarette.



Read about Lauren Bacall here

Robin Williams - d. August 11th 2014

There was no day 
or conversation
you could not seize;
a mind on steroids, 
a mouth on fire,
the most alien
of humans.


Read about Robin Williams here 

Chapman Pincher - d. August 5th 2014

'High-ranking Angel linked to Satan'.
'The traitorous truth about St Peter' .
If there are scoops 
to be unearthed in heaven,
you are our man.

Read about Chapman Pincher here

Dick Smith - d. July 30th 2014

You used all your powers, 
all your skills,
to convince, or deceive.
We never knew your face,
but we knew your faces.

Read about Dick Smith here

Dora Bryan - d. July 23rd 2014

You were the stealer of scenes;
mother, sister, barmaid, aunt, 
chirpy as a crate of canaries,
the honey in everyone's cupboard.

Read about Dora Bryan here

James Garner - d. July 19th 2014

I scrounged these words,

a trick I learned from you,
but when I called 
to let you know
I got Hello, this is Jim
I'm not here right now.

Read about James Garner here

Johnny Winter - d. July 16th 2014

Though they bootlegged you

into oblivion,
mainlined your licks,
your blues were always true,
and indelible as an old tattoo.

Read about Johnny Winter here

With thanks to Brett Evans

Elaine Stritch - d. July 17th 2014

Vaudeville has so many orphans,
but none like you,
eyes bright as nickels,
voice soaked in vinegar,
laughing down the years.

Read about Elaine Stritch here

Alfredo Di Stéfano - d. July 7th 2014

The game is nearly done,
lit up by genius, rare
as the perfect hat-trick.
The fourth official
holds up the board
which says zero minutes.

Read about Alfredo Di Stéfano here

Bobby Womack - d. June 27th 2014

It's all over now,

but your soul

wrote such poetry.

And though the struggle’s
not yet done,
it’s time for you to cross 
that wide, wide street.

Read more about Bobby Womack here