You write poetry? Be serious!
A Memorial to Gordon Frank Martin - 19th May 1950 - 13th April 2008
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A limerick: How can flamingo stand on one leg Has an overheated chicken ever laid a boiled egg Has a robin ever been arrested for stealing a car Has an eagle ever shot two under par Excerpt from "The Lady" Like morning's first light, after night's deep dark pile, I'm washed in the warmth of your radiant smile. The way that you care, and take time out for me, will be cherished and remembered through eternity Excerpt from "Is that the Express train coming?" Another day has started I'm sifting in my chair I've taken my first dose of drugs My face just wears a stare My body aches in all my joints My limbs are rigid and dead As I sit here waiting for release A thousand thoughts go through my head How long can I put up with this Forty four and no sign of a cure A life that's on hold for thirty plus years? That's a long time to endure And I know that it's not stable That the slope that I'm standing upon Is forever turning downwards And gets darker as I trudge on
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About the Book
Gordon’s death in April 2008 left a gaping hole in our lives which is impossible to fill. A man of tall stature, his personality was as big as he was and when he entered a room, even during his illness, he exuded a presence and commanded respect from everyone else there. He was our own “oracle” on any subject under the sun. If Gordon didn’t know the answer then he knew how to find it, so inevitably he was the one to whom we always turned whatever the problem. His ready wit, unfailing cheerfulness, and the capacity to relate to each and every one of us in a loving and lovely way made him such a huge part of all our lives. He lived every day to its fullest capacity refusing to be cowed by the crippling effects of Parkinson’s Disease.
It is hard to see any good come out of the devastating illness which robbed him of a normal life with his beloved wife Maureen and his two sons David and Andrew. It was however during that illness that his love of the written word and for poetry and prose was allowed to grow and expand in a way in which it might never have done had he continued his career in commerce and in particular in accountancy.
This book is Gordon’s. It is life as he saw it and lived it. It felt impossible to edit his works, so they have all been included, a few with his own footnotes. Some of the verses are very personal, reflecting his own interests, loves, fears and at times confused thinking brought on by the effects of Parkinson’s drugs. Others reflect his humour, general knowledge and interest in current affairs and always his command of the English language.
Enjoy what follows and celebrate the life of Gordon Martin Sales of this book will help the research into Parkinsons, through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Check out my web page on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website.....just type in my name GAIL MARTIN in the "find a member " box.
About the Author
Gordon Martin was my brother and my friend. His untimely death in April 2008 left a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved him. This book is a memorial to him and to his indefatigable life. Gordon was born, the youngest of three children, to Lily and Gordon Martin, on 19th May 1950. He spent a happy childhood in Whitwell, the village of his birth where he and his older brother Roy enjoyed the boyish pastimes of the day including football.which was to remain a life long passion. The death of Roy at the age of 16, during an asthma attack, had a profound effect on Gordon's young life. The siblings attended Whitwell Infant and Junior schools and the boys later attended Staveley Grammar School. Leaving school at 16 he contiunued his education through day release and home study gaining qualifications in accountancy, which was to become his chosen career and during which time he married and had two sons, David and Andrew. At the age of 37 having worked his way up through several companies, to become Financial Director at Beezer Homes Yorkshire, a company with a £20 million turnover, and having met and married his wife Maureen, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Physically and mentally unable to continue such a demanding role he retired from work and with Maureen becoming his carer, their lives were changed irrevocably and forever. However, he was unable to let himself stagnate and fought constantly to lead as normal a life as his illness would allow and it was at this time that he turned to one of his first loves, the written word. From this source springs this book.