Fireflies illumining the darkened thickets of retrospect forgotten remembered names capture the heart, “Timeless affection’s eye”.

I note Ruth Sherwin’s reference to the twins, Rita and Geoffrey Benjamin who lived next door.

Dr Joe and Dorothy Israel were our dear and near neighbours for many years. They had three lovely daughters, Eleanore, the eldest, then came Judith and last but not least, Ruth.

I watched them grow up... they were delightful babies, engaging teenagers, entirely capturing the song of the moment “You must have been a beautiful baby; you must have been a wonderful child”. They were just that!

Rabbi Miller who officiated at my wedding forty years ago, a communal celebration. Rabbi Wulwick, my Hebrew tutor, friend and mentor of the Benjamin Family.

Rev Kersh whose Eulogy on my late father, Horace, remains to this day a cherished family possession.

Echoes of the Holocaust Survivors, recalling Bertyl and Jack Fischbein, consummate party givers. Jack shared communal honours with my Father, a military medallist for gallantry WW2.

The Smollan family whose antecedents are apparently world wide.

Philip Simon whose charismatic charm leaves a lasting legacy to his family and many friends.

I note David Simon still resides in the Boro. Flies the “Simon Flag”.

Though “In the teeth of WW2” these warmhearted individualistic characters of the

Middlesbrough Community remain always a source of personal refreshment.

“Arms that circle, circle still

Evergreen my Springtime Hill,

Summer, Winter, now the Fall

Memory outlasts them all”

July 2000

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother encompasses the "National Heart"

The celebration of the Century marks the occasion of her 100th year.

Happy Birthday, Ma'am

ELIZABETH OF GLAMIS

Dignity’s dominion stand within

your upturned

hand

Eyes violet blue evoke a

Highland view

Nuance crystal clear Hebridian

Hauntings hear

Gaiety’s grace the heaven of

your face

National unity impart

The House of Windsor’s heart.

Perfections rose unfold

Elizabeth of Glamis behold

Rita Brisk

MEDITERRANEAN REMEMBERING

Mountain span

Verdure’s

Oasis land

Azure blue sky

Sungod's

Golden eye.

Orange blossom

Bloom

Bitter sweet

perfume

Mimosa’s mystic

loom

Flaming dragon

tree

Exotic treasure

Thee

No Island spring

Mediterranean Remembering.

Soft the summer air

Roses dreaming there

Closed crimson heart

Concealed dart

Petals full blown

Heaven’s own

Perfume pervades

Desire’s shades

To sleep and never wake

Could such belief forsake

Perfection’s bliss

Thorns surrounding this?

Protecting each damask core

From mutilation’s lore

Mere mortals envy well

Nature’s guarded shell

For flowers that in summer woo

so the human harvest too

Eagerly they pluck the flower

Potent loving power

Petalled pawn lies bleeding

Torn

Pierced by a thorn

For within your glowing heart

Joy and sorrow do not part

Short serenade

Roses bloom and fade.