Stories and poems from Craigie High School, Dundee

Peggy

I have been a husband.

I took my wife dancing the first time we met,

We had two children and I liked to drink.

We went berry picking and we loved dancing.

I played the pipes and loved guitar.

I have been a much missed sister.

We went berry picking and we loved dancing,

We all loved music and we saw many musicals.

I have been a husband.

I have been gone for 33 years.

I took my wife dancing the first time we met.

I played the pipes and loud guitar.

We had 2 children and I liked to drink.

I left my family too early,

I miss them very much.

I am a proud father,

A proud grandfather,

And a proud husband.

I watched my family grow,

I will see them again soon.

Mabel

I remember my mum staying with me when my husband died. She held me in her arms as I cried and gently smoothed my hair to comfort me. I had missed him with my whole heart, he had been the father of my two children – Kenneth and Elizabeth who have been my life ever since I can remember. I grew lonely through time, and my doctor moved me to the care home I live in now. I have friends and I still have my children, one of whom now has a family of her own. Elizabeth comes to visit me once a week with my grandchildren – they are just young toddlers with a comical personality, and I love them so much. In my spare time, I can remember those I loved; my mother, my husband and my brother. My brother passed only two months ago. He was a brilliant brother and we were very close, however I couldn’t attend his funeral. I wish I could have, but I was much too old as I am now. Considering my age, my memories are faint, although I couldn’t ever forget the cheerful, good woman who cared for me throughout my life. She named me Mabel, she encouraged my shop assistant career and gave me a life of happiness.

A Song for Mabel

I remember her staying with me

When my husband died.

She gently smoothed my hair

And held me as I cried.

She was my parent, my best friend

I loved her to no end,

And now, she lives in my memory.

My husband was the father of my son and my daughter,

Both now have their own lives.

Elizabeth has a family,

Two children, young and funny,

They visit almost every week and I smile.

Margaret

Margaret was born in 1932, she is 83 years old. She has dementia.

Her last husband died of cancer 10 years ago. His name was Douglas and he was around 80.

When asked what the best thing about him was, she said, ‘everything’. He was a nice person, and he didn’t drink. He was a very caring person and a good laugh. He was an engineer and flew planes.

In their spare time they were always together.

She is very proud of her son Paul who is 51. He wanted to be an actor. She had wanted to be a nurse when she was young.

I was her husband of many years

I listened to her voice which was music to my ears

I was always around and we had a good laugh

She was very special, my other half

I was an engineer, working on planes,

Then I got cancer and it was no fun and games

I was only 80 when I had to leave,

I didn’t want to, she was everything to me.

I was in the clouds, watching from above,

She was sad and lonely, Paul giving her hugs,

My loving son of 51,

Nessie

I was a sister to five.

We had lots of arguments but I was close with my family.

I miss spending time with them.