Kathryn Gilkison’s NZ cricket poem

Today I bought a copy of Kathryn Gilkison’s poetry book, Dear Shelley, written in memory of her daughter Shelley Mather (also the niece of New Zealand poet Bernadette Hall) who died in the London bombings of July 7, 2005. I hadn't come across the collection before but it's of interest to cricket people.

The book contains a poem called ‘Cricket Gang’ and on the back of the book is a photo of her daughter Shelley in a New Zealand cricket shirt. Shelley played indoor cricket and was a cricket lover. The poem states that her cricket team honoured her with ‘a cricket bat guard of honour’ at her funeral (St Mathew-in-the-City, Auckland, July 30, 2005).

Kathryn’s book and the story of her daughter’s life in which cricket played an integral part moved me. My own father and sister were in London the day of the bombings and were unhurt. My heart goes out to Shelley’s family and friends. I’d like to share Kathryn’s poem for Shelley in honour of a fellow cricketer’s life:

KATHRYN GILKISON

Cricket Gang

they stood fast and true

the gang

honoured you

with a cricket bat guard of honour

as Ramon played the pipes

one phone call fits all needs

I simply rang Donna

and “abracadabra”

a multitude of tasks done

they set up the church

  we needed four people

  they gave us forty

they handed out the service order

and ushered people to their seats

they were truly amazing

we had you home

the night before the big event

  they all came

  sat round your coffin

  told stories, laughed, cried,

  swore

  the anger was palpable

  that you had been taken

  from them

so much part of their lives

for so long

they looked out for you from the beginning

they were there for you in the end

© Kathryn Gilkison, 2006

(From Dear Shelley, Pukeko Publishing, 2006)

See also Shelley Mather memorial website: http://www.shelleymariemather.com/