Ray Harryhausen - d. May 7th 2013

We were marooned

from birth

on a desolate isle;

you sent Sinbad and Jason

to rescue us,

reimagined the world

in miniature,

to make it bigger.

Read about Ray Harryhausen here 

Angelo Dundee - d. February 1st 2012

You had a plan 
for every punk; 
jab and move, 
stay on your toes 
and off the ropes.
The ring 
has four corners;
you were there
in all of them.

Read about Angelo Dundee here 

Mel Smith - d. July 19th 2013

'eard the news?
What?
That comedian. Croaked.
Well, he did have a face like a toad.
'Ave some respect. I thought 'e was funny
Not now 'e isn't.

Read about Mel Smith here 

Bert Trautmann - d. July 19th 2013

After the war,
you found yourself
in the right place,
at the right time,
playing the game
your captors invented,
yet still
playing the game.

Read more about Bert Trautmann here 

Chester Harriott - d. July 15th 2013

Let me lift the lid

for the Liberace

of Fitzrovia,

his velvet fingers

itching for arpeggios,

but his keyboard

just one forgotten octave.

Read more about Chester Harriott here 

Alan Whicker - d. July 12th 2013

I imagine you
stepping off the plane
in Paradise,
dressed for safari, 
microphone in hand, 
looking for an angel
to quiz about the locals.

Read more about Alan Whicker here 
 

George Jones - d. April 26th 2013

To sing like that,
To tell those tales,
you must’ve been
on drinking terms
with Gabriel
and Lucifer.

Now all of us
will cry into
our beer tonight.

Read more about George Jones here 

Margaret Thatcher - April 8th 2013

Your place  

among the stars

is assured;

the cold stars,

the sick stars,

stars with no future,

stars we shall not miss.

Read more about Margaret Thatcher here. 

Bernie Nolan - d. July 4th 2013

Your pouting gang

were too uncool for school,

but you had your moment

in every 80's home,

with your knowing wink,

your kitsch in sync.

Read more about Bernie Nolan here

Frank Thornton - d. March 16th 2013

First floor;

pomposity and innocence,

laughing

without knowing why.

Second floor;

a vague Britishness.

Going up.

Read more about Frank Thornton here 

 

Jim Kelly - d. June 29th 2013

For you,
the combat
brought the high,
not the victory,
so I imagine
when the end came,
you were too busy
looking cool.

Read more about Jim Kelly here