We drove the long way that weekend

Around the peninsula, next to the land edge, where sand meets sea

Stopping for a quick night near some dunes where rain dripped through on me

We took the long way north, seeing roads unseen for a wee while from my eyes

I faced the sky, anxious at times, my usual style

Arriving mid storm to celebrate your 80th cycle around the sun

A farmer, my father, a son and brother

We'll just use 12 candles as that's all we had on offer

I should write you a letter to say all that's unsaid

Before the totara is fallen to this riverbed

But how to fit in a lifetime of conscience with mere words and letters

The worthiest of all worthwhile endeavors

I sat on your right, self appointed, the youngest

A gifted book of classic cars and some local chain voucher

You shared your calf club ribbons and memories from the 50s

1st, 2nd and 3rds in the pedigree

Hand typed certificates, signed with ink fountain pen, stamped and dated in a script

Treasures stored in your wooden writing desk, unseen from us, show us more

Arriving mid storm to celebrate your 80th cycle around the sun

A farmer, my father, a son and brother

We'll just use 12 candles as that's all we had on offer

I should write you a letter to say all that's unsaid

Before the totara is fallen to this riverbed

But how to fit in a lifetime of conscience with mere words and letters

The worthiest of all worthwhile endeavors

A homage to this man

A eulogy to the alive

A homage to this man

A eulogy to the alive

How do you miss someone who is still here yet the distance has spread us apart?

I miss those summer days growing up, tea and newspaper reading once I arrived home

It was just me and you, discussing the days events

Comfortable companionship, in our mutual silence

Arriving mid storm to celebrate your 80th cycle around the sun

A farmer, my father, a son and brother

We'll just use 12 candles as that's all we had on offer

I should write you a letter to say all that's unsaid

Before the totara is fallen to this riverbed

But how to fit in a lifetime of conscience with mere words and letters

The worthiest of all worthwhile endeavors

But how to fit in a lifetime of conscience with mere words and letters

The worthiest of all worthwhile endeavors

The worthiest of all worthwhile endeavors