Family

altAncestors feature significantly in these poems. Paul’s lineage is French Huguenot blended with Swedish
Finn (Erkison), with some Dutch (Kriegler) and
English (Gilbey).

He owes much to his parents, Kriegler and Doris du Plessis. These poems are dedicated to them:: Father Love and Octogenarian.

1964 brought marriage to Margaret (Siebrits) with her German, British (Prince and Esplin) and also Koisan (Krotoa) heritage, mentioned in Celebrating Ancestors. The marriage fulfilled one of Margaret’s teenage dreams: ‘…to marry a doctor; live in Bishopscourt and to drive a red MG.’

Their home now bears the name Bishopscourt; but there’s no MG.

Catherine (b 1969) and André (b 1976) feature frequently. Alan John (b 1971) who died after just five days is remembered in To a Neonate.

The births of each of the grand-children have been recorded in the poems: David Steven Taylor; Jonathan Paul Taylor; To Rachael Ann, as is the loss of a pregnancy: To an Unknown Child.

But Margaret remains central with a number of love poems, many for wedding anniversaries, Partners in Mission among them.

Trailblazer August 2024
Always Somewhere Else. February 2024
What’s She Up To Now? February 2022
The Last Breakfast August 2021
The Marriage December 2019
To My Valentine - 2017 February 2017
A Leap into the Year Ahead March 2016
Valentine's Day 2016 February 2016
Yours and Mine November 2014
Ten Years July 2013
Last of the Squirrels in The Elms January 2013
More Squirrels in The Elms December 2012
The Road to Bishopscourt July 2012
Neighbours May 2012
Squirrels in The Elms December 2011
Apple Crumble October 2011
Turning Ten April 2011
Yesterday Belongs to Us January 2011
Sky Speak March 2010
The Mindless Scarecrow January 2010
Clickety Click July 2008
Hazel Cottage February 2009
Thanksgiving for Recovery January 2009
A Tenth Birthday August 2008
Bridging the Generations June 1983
New Forest Birthday June 1989
Partners in Mission December 1994
Sleep-walking August 1988
To a Neonate April 1971
The Arrival February 2008
A Family in Ireland April 1986
Octogenarian August 1984
To My Valentine February 1983
To Margaret December 1971
Thank You Mummy for My Birthday June 1972
Names in the Sand July 1974
Marriage Vows December 1976
Discontent February 1984
To an Unknown Child August 1995
To Rachael Ann June 2001
The New Creature April 1974
The Taylors December 2001
Recreated Vision May 2005
To André Mark du Plessis February 1976
Time Adjustment March 2006
Jonathan Paul Taylor September 1998
Great Achievements August 2007
From the Father and the Son August 1990
Forty Years June 2006
Father Love May 1997
Extended Celebration December 2004
David at Ten Years June 2006
David Steven Taylor June 1996
A Dedication Prayer August 1969