1244  Ode to a Venerable Bear

Ninety today, hip hip hooray!

And we are bound to cheer

Our oldest and our finest,

Our nonagenarian bear!

The Roaring Twenties didn't note

Your birth, but we can see

You sitting there by Margaret,

Both waiting for your tea.

You sat out the Great Depression

In your padded chair

While Margaret played the violin

And led the orchestra.

When airmen came to Shrewsbury

You saw John next door

Call more often than the rest

And it wasn't long before

They were wed and you were packed

Away, but not to mourn,

For in nineteen forty five

A little boy was born

And you became his teddy bear

Or should I say, mine,

For I it was who loved you then

The second in the line.

I mended you, and your red nose

Might seem to prophesy

A love of wine and single malts

Which I can't deny.

Our daughter Lucie, as shown in print,

Won a famous prize

For you, as the oldest bear,

To everyone's surprise,

And now you sit with younger friends

A true celebrity

Gracing our Hastings Week event -

A special Teddy's Tea.

Brian Hick 2013 The venerable bear can be seen illustrated by Prue Theobalds in The Teddy Bear P. 77 with the photo of Margaret when they were young.

©copyright Sally Hick 3.2.25