90th Birthday Poem

by Cicely Belle Blain, 2021

Jean Ruth Robertson turns ninety today,

Unlike her, not many people can say,

“There is a dojo out there with my name!”

Although martial arts may not be her forte,

There are so many things under her belt

And her love will make your heart melt! Through love, she bridged racial divide,

And always walks with joy by her side.

She stood up against nuclear weapons,

And all other evils that threatened The justice we get to enjoy today- We are so grateful that she paved the way! There is never a dull moment at sixty-three, For almost a century, the walls have been filled with glee.

World wars, recessions, austerity - Not even a pandemic could crush the spirit,

That greets one upon entry. Those whose lives have been touched by Jean

Will always know what it means To live in wonder and constant laughter

She’s a woman with many titles, Ma, Aunty Jean and Nana to her disciples, Now we get to my favourite part, Where I toss the niceties that came from the heart

See what is a birthday with only a toast It must of course, also come with a roast! A decade ago, at your 80th do, my poem told some hilarious tales

Of bottom pinching and denture fails In ten years, much time has past And you have provided great fodder for my witty remarks. Most notably, it would be remiss If I did not mention this Your affinity for falls is quite renowned At this point, you’re best friends with the ground! Other strange mishaps do include The time you poked your own eye out…with a broom!

Or in March, at our sadly brief reunion Before the doctor decided to ruin it Once they discovered you’d been cavorting with a foreigner

They locked you up like a kid in the naughty corner We met at the Clarendon hotel,

Although, you in your dirty fleece did not match the clientele

Instead of following the clear instructions, You barged right into a room full of black-clad patrons “How come these guys get a spread of food?”

You exclaimed loudly, oblivious to the mood

Memories with you are my favourite to make

But I certainly never imagined crashing a wake! Travelling at your age is something to wonder Especially when I am the one who has to beg and blunder

Trying to find a company who will give you insurance Or if we can handle the endurance Of pushing your wheelchair across grass, cobble and sand

And you just sit there without giving us a hand! I know that elders should be respected So, I won’t labour on the jokes I’ve collected

But rest assured when you reach one hundred

I won’t be holding back on all your blunders Nana, you have made so many sacrifices To give us love, freedom and all the niceties

To the family, you are a true matriarch Someone to talk to when the world feels so dark This year we have been tested beyond prediction

Sometimes, 2020 seemed like science fiction

Yet we all know at the end of the phone

Is a cheery voice to throw us a bone.

As the world around us falls into decay

Our family seems to grow stronger every day

We come from a long line of brilliance

People who turn struggle into resilience

Nana, thank you for all that you do

We are so lucky to enter another year with you

For your courage, and wisdom and good genes too

Happy birthday Jean Robertson

and see you soon!