Eric Peter Hughes

With a gentle laugh he did enthuse

His sister, nephew, nieces, Mum

After all, he was brother, uncle, son.

 

He was half a biker, hippie, smoker

Disappearer, loner.

And half a carer, porter, nurse.

For years his dog came first.

 

What if Uncle Peter

Had not been bullied in teenage years?

Had had more encouraging peers?

 

What if his creative, artistic bent

Had been nurtured to fulfillment?

Talents left to grow wild

From this once talkative and contented child

It could have been so different.

 

Yet remember not that other half.

Remember instead the gentle laugh,

The calming manner, twinkling eye,

The way he spoke to you and I,

The loyal care he gave his Mum.

This uncle, brother, son.