The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky; Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nine-and-fifty swans. The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count; I saw, before I had well finished, All suddenly mount And scatter wheeling in great broken rings Upon their clamorous wings. I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, And now my heart is sore. All's changed since I, hearing at twilight, The first time on this shore, The bell-beat of their wings above my head, Trod with a lighter tread. Unwearied still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold Companionable streams or climb the air; Their hearts have not grown old; Passion or conquest, wander where they will, Attend upon them still. But now they drift on the still water, Mysterious, beautiful; Among what rushes will they build, By what lake's edge or pool Delight men's eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away? Our dear beautiful son and much loved brother I wanted to leave the above poem on your Sunflower page. Uncle John quoted this at the table when we all had a family meal last Saturday and I thought it was beautiful. John and Angela had gone to the Galway Estate a few years ago where the poem is based and the wild swans are still there now. We visited the Vale today and there were lots of swans around. Placed some sunflowers and white roses on the bough of the tree and hopefully Liam will put this on the picture show so that your friends can see it. Cant believe it is 2 years since you left us but I know that you are still around us whether it is on a blustery day, when the sun is shining or on a cold Winters morning when everything is glistening after a heavy frost. I particularly know you are around on my many night duties when all is still and when the sky is lit up with an array of beautiful stars. How can an after life not exist in such a beautiful universe and when so many good people lose their fight for life. Make merry John and watch over us all and keep us safe especially your many dear friends who keep me smiling with memories of their time with you. It goes without saying from me, dad,Liam and James that we love you very much x x x x