A Day At The Races (Without Graeme) 
 
A day at the races 
No horse to be seen 
Just music and memories 
Of a time that once has been 
 
Ricky said  
Bethlehem's gate stood staring 
On a night just like this 
Summer sun 
Life had just begun 
It must have been bliss 
 
But standing here now 
As the sun fades away 
My mind turns to Graeme 
Who's not here today 
 
Graeme is such a great man 
So friendly and true 
And for once and the first time  
My deacon really is blue 
 
NOTE: 
I spent a beautiful summers evening at Ascot watching my favorite band "Deacon Blue" Ricky (lead singer) referred to a beautiful night he recalled on the shores of Loch Lomond and sung a song "Bethlehem's Gate" a song about when life is so perfect that you believe anything is possible. I always associate my time at Deacon Blue concerts as really happy "perfect" times - but for the first time ever I felt truly sad. Another band member could not be there that night for Graeme Kelling a man for whom if anyone has met would seem to be the most unassuming of rock/pop stars. He is such a kind gentle & warm person. I met him briefly for the first time in Newcastle and he asked my name, months later I saw him again in Glasgow and he said "Rob hi how are ya" - That kindness and genuine interest in his fans struck me as very admirable. He always made time to talk to people. Graeme could not be at Ascot that night because he is ill with Cancer. The concert was great but without Graeme like I say for once and the first time my Deacon really was blue. I have felt many emotions at DB concerts but sadness before that day was never one of them. 
 
 
ADDITION:  
Sadly on June 10th 2004 Graeme lost his battle with cancer. A truly great man has been lost from us all. Think this poem has even more meaning to me now than when I wrote it a few years ago. My happiest memory of Graeme will be backstage at Glasgow royal concert hall he came over to me and said that the band were in discussions as to whether or not to have a “D” shape cut into the stage at future gigs to accommodate my belly as I was at so many gigs and always at the front. We both fell apart laughing at that. His humor I will miss greatly.