Poem

If I were a weaver and I was making a tapestry in honour of Elaine
     I'd make it big – because she was a big woman
          In spirit, in heart, in energy.

I'd border it with Rosemary for Remembrance, and green and purple
     and white roses which she loved
          to make the suffragette colours.

I'd fill it with bold strong colours – for her strength and her courage
     and people and books, which were her two first loves.

I'd put in the desert and Aborigines – for her travels her interest
     in Koorie art, health and culture.

I'd weave her home – full of art and friends and flowers -
     which she shared so generously with all her friends and
          acquaintances and members of her groups – WWF, ALP . . .

I'd put in her battered old Honda – bright orange, and rusty –
     full to overflowing with books and papers and life.

I'd put in the women of Warrnambool – mothers, daughters, wives –
     all who she loved, and supported, and organised and bossed around.

I'd put in children – who she always had time for – her own and everyone else's
     and children's drawings which she loved.

I'd put in the Razorback – with Elaine walking it – in the next life.

I'd put in her old dog Sheba – now uncomprehending at his loss

I'd put in Stuart – who stood by her through all the very hardest time

And I'd put in Elaine – now that the great storm is over.
     'lifting up her wings and flying'

Kim Dunphy

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