THE SAINT CLUB CHRISTMAS LETTER 1993

Dear Family of Saints,

It was over ten years ago that my husband wrote what you are about to read. Because this is the season for giving, I would like to share it with you;

BALLAD OF A SEPTUAGENARIAN
by Leslie Charteris

It seems an idiocy sublime
that we poor sprigs of Adam's breed
take half our lives to reach our prime
and spend the next half going to seed;
but somehow, it has been decreed,
Man's years are rationed to three score
and ten - which mine right now exceed.
I could enjoy a few years more.

I can still chisel out a rhyme;
I still have countless books to read.
Show me a clock: I'll tell the time
at half a mile. And you don't need
to shout at me to make me heed;
I stride as briskly as of yore,
I eat with gusto but not greed:
I could enjoy a few years more.

I may no more seek trees to climb
or yearn to mount a fiery steed,
but pleasure's in whatever I'm
enjoying doing, not the deed.
I've no infirmity to plead
save finding pompous twits a bore:
while wit and reflex keep their speed,
I could enjoy a few years more.

L'envoi

Dear God: unless you badly need
my help with some supernal chore,
though in the end I must concede,
I could enjoy a few years more.

So you see, he was granted those "few years more" although it was too few for those of us who loved him.

He would wish you, as I do, Seasons Greeting and a Saintly New Year.

Audrey Charteris