I missed him at the Centre,
Missed his welcome grin
Missed the morning NATO brew
He made when I came in.
Not quite a caretaker
But a quiet reliable face,
An artist and a gentleman
Who kept an eye on the place.
I'll never forget the night at Roos when
He brought his beret and medals along
And held them all rapt and silent as he
Performed his Operation Banner song.
Now he's over in America
Managed to get there at last
As they finally accepted his
Somewhat chequered past.
I missed his leaving party.
I'd had a hard Centre day
I'd just needed to close up
And be off and on my way.
In this photograph they're smiling
He and his lovely new wife.
I'm so glad they're having
A good and happy life.
For two or three years he lived there
Through all the many ups and downs
Helped me cope with the Veterans,
The good, the sad, the clowns.
I missed his friendship at the Centre
It was not the same with him gone
But I'm so glad that he made it,
Made the break to finally move on.
