Michel Poem by Francis Duggan

He may live far so far from France
But old Michel can sing and dance
And he can party on till late
If there's something to celebrate

But still he grieves for Marie his wife
The one great love of his long life
And those who know the old man say
That dance from him keeps grief away.

She had been with him for forty five years
And she shared with him life's joys and tears
And she raised their children Joe and Sue
And until her end to him stayed true

Last year the reaper for her came
And without her life for him is not the same
But life must go on or so they say
And suppose it has always been this way.

Michel will not die with regret
And there's lots of living in him yet
And though a part of him has died
He still retains his brighter side.

Last June he turned seventy four
Though he looks sixty not much more
And old Michel he sing and dance
Far distant from the shores of France