This poem was written by my cousin, Rob Farley, after our Aunt Diana died. It is an example of an acrostic poem where the first letters of the lines, in order, spell the title of the poem, in this case: Diana Hartford Barton.
Diana, how the years have ground by;
Inheriting shares of joys and sadness.
Always, were you full-brim of ready smiles.
Never irked, never any truck with cant,
Anytime I was blessed in your company.
Hopefully, your memory bore witness
Astutely to travels beyond Dublin
Reaching the depths of Clonmacnoise,
Tara Hill with its long-forgotten Kings.
Far fields indeed for this wayward refugee
On stream for his Irish heritage;
Recitals of Trollope and Thirkell resound
Denying my yen for Hemingway, Bates; too
Basic in your mind for my soul's good
And yet said with sympathetic lean.
Relax, now, Diana, the struggles won.
Tear not the heartstrings of those left
Only stir glorious memories
Nonchalantly, in your rest.