Irma Esler (Verrall) YHS 1947 passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Foster on Sunday, 10th October 2004. Irma’s passing was very sudden and totally unexpected, even though her heatlh had not been good for a number of years. Irma was very proud of her Yallourn Old Girls’ Association and didn’t miss too many reunions over the years, and as far as husband, Geoff, is concerned, she was the best thing ever to come out of Yallourn High School. Following is a poem Irma wrote some years ago and requested it be read at her funeral:-
Perhaps I’d like to be an elephant For its memory is supreme To remember all the lovely things Of which I sometimes dream But then I’d have to have a trunk And one I could not pack I’d have to tote things with my nose And not upon my back
No, I think I’d be a rabbit When I come back again All nice and warm and cuddly My softness not to wane For bunnies are so soft and small They really are quite cute But then, there are those hunters At me they’d want to shoot.
No, I think I’d better be a dog To bark and leap and play To chase the cats and butterflies Or to sleep the day away But then, such joyful nonsense May be for me a drag As whenever people patted me They’d want my tail to wag
No, I think perhaps I’ll be a bird And sit upon a limb And if my mate should upset me I’d really henpeck him But then, birds have a peck line I’d have to stand and wait To wait and have to take my turn Is something I would hate.
No, perhaps a deer or bear or such One thing I’ll tell you now When I come back I only hope It won’t be as a cow Cos farmers sometimes can be cruel Their manners far too bold I wouldn’t like my you-knows touched With icy hands so cold.
I think I’d best return as me And this is not a whim But I guess that big decision Will all be up to HIM I really mean it from my heart When to my God I say Please make the changes only small When I come back this way
My pleasures have been many My joy has been to share This life HE kindly gave to me With the folks for whom I care My kin & friends are so precious From these I’d hate to turn So God could they be with me When I come for my return.
By Irma Esler