Gen_NBD Doc.U.Mentary_2, page-20

NOBoDe and friends:

Saturday's birthday party was a success, 20 people around 2 large tables in Chinese Restaurant - good mood, all ages - but friend did not wish me to read poem out loud, then my daughter M. saw it and said: 'this is good, YOU MUST read it' - I protested and she eventually got everyone's attention and read it in my behalf. It is the story of a migrant's life - a privileged one, as he had a good education; grew up in an exotic location, because Dad had a fabulous job and Mum worked for a European embassy there, here in Australia he had great jobs, but can't divulge too much about that, so: - I replaced his name, which is a multi-syllabic one with 'von Wittgenstein' - and he is a bit of a smarty-pants, always opinionated and not always well-researched - so I am having a little dig at him:

The world by WWII was torn

when H. von Wittgenstein was born!

t'was 1944 - the town was Linz

where H. . took his very first glimpse and,

and - I am sure,

opined on the state of affairs of the world he found,

but no-one there was aware of this mind so young yet profound!

The world was his oyster and he knew it quite well,

since in his youth in diverse places he dwelt;

Germany, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Middle East,

were just the beginnings of a geographical feast;

when years later with Qantas as crew

to many more places on earth he flew.

I digress this far to demonstrate

the world-wide experience v. Wittgenstein had;

because many a tale and argument later

is based on the fact, quite simple bare

that H. v. Wittgenstein was there.

5 more stanzas, 3 of which use the repeat phrase: 'H. v. Wittgenstein was there'

the last 2:

Many moons since then have passed;

and a friendship grew which is to last

and I found when in need of a helping hand

H. and K. were always on trend

and wined and dined and entertained;

and lend a listening ear

to whoever is in their domain;

they'll travel far and near

and drive a country mile or ten

to help kith, kind or friend.

So I'll finish this oration

to congratulate H. on his happy genation

and shout from the rooftops this little oration

Listen Folks:

whether you're happy or in despair

H. von Wittgenstein will always be there.

Happy Birthday etcetera

P.S. Pica: I changed tenses etc. and invented 'genation' but there is misgenation, so there should be a 'genation' - capisce??