ELAINE

Canada’s loss is our gain Allow me, my friends, to explain —

The feeling that’s stirred Can be summed in one word:

That one single word is . . . Elaine

She’s one of those fabulous few For whom just the first name will do

Just say it: Elaine . . . The picture is plain —

Instantly people know who

A swimmer early in life — She still cuts the pool like a knife

Freestyle or fly Like a hawk through the sky —

Greg Guthrie, this is your wife

She brings that Olympian spirit To her work — we see it, we hear it

The drive and desire To fly ever higher —

She can inspire — and we cheer it

Truly, Elaine has elan Whenever you see her, she’s on

Blissful and bright Radiating light —

And bound to grow brighter anon

She’s possessed of a powerful brain A fact that’s abundantly plain

The clear explanation Is brain integration —

She’s brainwave coherent Elaine

What heart and compassion abide in her The students comfortably confide in her

In Computer Professionals She’s Computer Confessionals —

She’s the Mother of Compro — we take pride in her

She’s part of a team there, of course But trace its success to its source

You’ll quickly find out Without any doubt

She’s Compro’s invincible force

She’s an engine at the head of our train Huge achievement — no evident strain

People keep talkin’ Of the Marvel of McLaughlin

Stop gawkin’ — it’s only Elaine

We’re happy your hand’s on the rein Better we’ll never obtain

Grow our enrollment You’re our heart and our soulment

Our source, course, and goalment . . . Elaine

She’ll suggest, but she’ll never complain Questions? She’ll clearly explain

A shaker and mover, This saint from Vancouver —

Who outmaneuvers Elaine?

For Elaine, it’s far more than a job there You see, she’s married to the mob there

The mob we call Greg Our Golden-Domed egg —

At work as at home, there’s her throb there

Elaine loves to work her elawn Sundays she’ll rise with the dawn

She’ll prune and she’ll pare And she’ll proudly declare

To all forms of disorder: Begone!

We lean toward, we lean on Elaine For there’s such a bright sheen on Elaine

A bliss that attracts And fulfills to the max —

That’s why we’re so keen on Elaine

With Elaine we all long to align Then this fable will finish just fine

For Elaine is aligned With the pure, cosmic mind —

The undelvably deep and divine

We’ll leave sleeping elephants where they’ve lain We’ll just say again and again:

Of all our Canadians She’s pure super radiance

Twice-a-day in the Dome — that’s Elaine

So poets, write glowing refrains Farmers, sow bright golden grains

If you’re looking to choose Some great golden hues,

Here is the news — choose Elaine’s

Soon I will end this prolixity We wish her great focus and fixity

Great frolic and fun In the ocean and sun

Now as she celebrates . . . sixity

Enjoy your garden, vacations As you help to give peace to all nations

Our windsurfer and skier, Our Canadian seer —

Fulfill all your great expectations

There’s nothing you do not contain No worlds that you do not sustain

Lively vigorously, vitally, Magically, mightily —

Elaine Guthrie, long may you reign!

I hope that these words entertain . . . When they’re finished, what will remain?

Our heart-overflowing Eternally growing

All-knowing love for Elaine

Live long on this sweet earthly plane There’s no height you will not attain

Live long and enlightened — Our world’s been brightened —

Illumined by lovely Elaine

November 12, 2013