To my brother on his 50th birthday. August 16th 1990

Once upon a time, in a land so far away, a family of five thought there 
they'll always stay.
The sun shone on their faces and the style of life was grand.
The three children grew up straight and strong, in that far away land.
The mother sweet and caring, sewing clothes that all admired. 
Taught love and fun and forgiving, and never seemed to tire.
The Father an electrician. On Luanshya's Copper Mine, 
Taught the children table manners, penned the rules up in their sight - 
"Ladies and Gentleman I will make you, I will make you grow up right."
Round the table the children would sing "Today we have our Scots Emulsion". 
(vitamins)
Back's straight, elbows off, no talking with mouth full. 
And speak the King's English, was all part of the drill.
Never ever allowed to fight, and it's early to bed with stories at night.
Little monkey or Big monkey, was the favorite story told. 
How those three children loved hearing about those monkeys bold.
Always young George was first asleep, On that score his sisters had him beat.
Once mum was in hospital a bit. Her three children just could'nt stay home 
and sit. 
Frances came up with a great idea. They would take a walk and visit her there.
Through a wonderful park the children did trot. Picking gorgeous flowers, 
even forget-me-nots.
The sun sank low down in the sky. The children came to the hospital, the 
nurse said "My My".
Confronted with flowers and children all ready to cry. The nurse took them to 
their mother, with a big sigh.
"Hello Mum" we said, and then "Goodbye".
We lived on a corner beside a golf course. Where the greatest of ant-hills 
was our playground and fort.
Across the road was our school. Morning sessions were the rule.
The afternoons free, we raced to the bioscope in glee. (with our comic books).
First selling mangoes to the neighbors a dozen a ticky.
Ah, the mango trees are memories, as we climbed & hung & swung.               
          spinning tales of Tarzan, girl & boy, until the day was done.
One day we found a bush monkey. Thought we'd keep it for a pet.
Sure it slept all day, but at night, no sleep did George or Renee get.
We understood the wild life of lions, deer, giraffe and snakes on the street. 
                                                  And understood blood 
suckers, and scorpions and thought flying termites were neat.
The 5th November was Guy Fowlks day. With fireworks & pajamas filled with hay.
Then we'd torch the works & enjoy the display.
One day George told me we'll have some fun.
We hid in a ditch and threw stones at cars one by one.
Then horror of horrors we saw our dad, and oh boy, was he truly mad.
A hiding for George, no food for Renee. I must say we were truly sorry.
We had the loveliest little black mongrel dog named Podgee.
Who followed us everywhere, even helped in our folly.
George made a go-cart for Podgee to pull. And the fun we had with him up & 
down hill.
That day George made us girls a couple of stilts. 
On them we went everywhere with a step and a lilt.
Then one broke and my goodness made a hole in Renee's leg.
The stilts were chopped up to pieces and we were sent off to bed.
There's no one could build kites quite like brother George.
Or cattys that shot, as straight as a board.
All the kids in the neighborhood, came back for more.
And George Locke the golf champ was a boy they adored.
Always protecting his sisters at school, George was never one to be easily 
fooled.
He punched a bully's glasses right off his head.
For upsetting his baby sister - that made him see red.
Parents made him pay for the glasses all right.
But as always George was a hero in Renee's sight.
Remember the mulberry bush, the cotton tree and the back lane?
The six months hot summer and the six months of rain?
And remember the times we climbed under the road, and along with a snake we 
hid in a drain?
The lightening displays at the heat of a storm. After the rain, the smell of 
the sand when it's warm.
What a drive to Kitwe, Mufulira, Chibaluma and Ndola.
The two lane tarmac, the lorries, boots of cars and Bulawayo.
Remember "eny wena funa" & "bumba lor incha" "what do you want" & "catch the 
dog" in Kitchen Lingo.
Zimbabwe Ruins, Makoma Dam & Victoria Falls. We were all so young then - but 
I remember it all.
George had the most gorgeous Moths on display. And bird's wings of every 
description & array.
His best friend's father was a vet. Who threatened George that in trouble 
he'll get.
Dad built & helped George fill a large Avery, and the vet came at night & cut 
them all free.
We had fantails, homers & tumblers in a pigeon loft.
And chewed on poisonous elephant ears more often than not.
Four year old Joe Halstrom's parents forbade him to sweep our floor, 
While Motor Car our deaf gardener kept an eye on us all.
We even got baby crocodiles from our Uncle Willie, Oh boy what memories we 
have from 108 D.
H.M.S. Pinafore with Mrs. Munn and I'd say - you made a fine Captain on that 
fun day.
I remember Mom reading your school report. You were great on three languages 
that you were taught.
Afrikaans, Chibemba & English were what you got, No trouble to George he 
interchanged the lot.
A change in life did appear when George hit his teens. The family moved to 2 
"K" and a change of scene.
A new school, new friends, his model airplanes ruled King.                    
Cups for best, highest, longest in air & biggest prang on wings.
Noticing girls, fixing cars and ballroom dancing with sister Renee.
Ford cars, braivlais, Mum chasing a snake and our peke Pixie.
Congratulations George on your birthday, number 50.
Do you realize your memories now span half a century.
Love your younger sister Renee