AN EULOGY TO STEVE IRWIN

Fearless he came, he saw, he teased
All crocodiles, snakes and chimpanzees.
We admired, laughed and fears eased.
He showed his love of the wild,
And treated all danger as mild.
A showman to woman and child,
He taught us so much about nature
with an infectious delighted flavour,
We saw and delighted too,
In animals now rare and few.

Giant rays that we will always remember,
Steve was filming one day in September.
He loved, he swam, he approached,
But the domain of the ray he encroached
As casually as a walk in the park,
and the big ray just pierced his heart.
Farewell our unique Steve Irwin,
Who lived a life like a whirlwind.
You pierced our hearts with your "Crikey!"
And you left a legacy that is mighty.

© James M. Fricker, 7Sep06