Many local football enthusiasts would remember Lionel ‘Grego’ Cromelin, who passed away recently from cancer. Lionel
played against the Hay Magpies as a team member of the Euabalong Tigers in the 1980’s. “‘Grego’ was a ball playing
forward, more often a prop than a second rower, who could side step of both feet,” says his brother Craig.
His brother, Deputy Chairman of NSWALC, Craig Cromelin, wrote this poem as a tribute to Lionel and read it at
‘Grego’s’ funeral.
Jean Woods found the poem in Tracker magazine, and received permission from the author for Printed Post to reprint it.
The poem is a tribute to a much loved man, his journey, his spirit and his positive attitude to a negative experience.
Lionel has left a legacy by way of agreeing, prior to his death, to be part of a public awareness campaign to promote the
reality of melanoma among Aboriginal people - ‘Skin cancer doesn't discriminate’.
This summer remember to use sun protection. Don’t let Lionel’s legacy go to waste.
Cancer you freeloading mongrel
I brought you into my world ...as does everyone.
I harboured you in my body .... for 48 years of life I fed you and
quenched your thirst.
driving, having a few beers with family and friends, being able to
go and do things when I wanted, going to the toilet on my own ...
and many more.
Now ... most thing in life ... appreciate that sort of help.
You were strangling the life from my body ... you mongrel
But ... NO ...not you ... You mongrel.
You know what I hated the most ... is you taking my dignity, my
pride, my ability to do things for myself ... I loved being my own
man.
Cancer ... you waited ... like a thief ... like the prowling predator,
that you are ... you waited for a precise moment to strike.
But you know what you didn't count on you mongrel
Was I at my weakest moment when you struck ??? I will never
know.
Whilst taking my pride and dignity ... I actually took back
something from you ... so yaaah
But why ... why me ... what did I ever do to you?
With love, strength and support from my family I won back
time ... time that was to me, my family and friends
And what gave you the right to take my life from me ... from my
family ... from my friends ... you mongrel?
After all it was I who carried you into MY world.
Powerful ... precious ... memorable ... purposeful ...
strengthening ... valuable ... irreplaceable ... and it's all ours
When I first learnt of your initial strike against me ... in the form of
one of your many aliases' ... in this instance ... melanoma
Together, my family and friends have locked those moments
away in their hearts so you can't have them.
It made me instantly sick ... and I felt my whole world stop and
start to crumble.
I have moments and my memories locked in my heart ... so I can
take them with me ... on my journey so yaaah ... you mongrel
All of a sudden ... you went from a silent free-loader to this angry,
greedy ... life sucking mongrel ... that you are.
Cancer you mongrel
As hard as I fought, as much as my family gave me love and
support, and encouragement
You inadvertently ... and deliberately affected my family and
friends along the way ... you mongrel.
I couldn't defeat you
Cancer ... as your thirst to take my life ... got stronger and
bigger ... I tried my hardest to fight you off.
But victory isn't totally yours to gloat about you mongrel.
I have a victory too ... so yaaah
Cancer , you mongrel .... I have never backed down from a
challenge in my life.
You want my body ... then take it ... but here is the irony and
sweetest message of all from me to you ... you mongrel
But with truck loads of support, love and encouragement from
family and friends ... I was adamant and determined ... in my
endeavours to beat you.
You are going into the ground ... deep enough, so you will never
see the light of day again ... and stay there
By staying in a positive frame of mind
And my victory is this ...
By agreeing to trial a new drug against Melanoma, by doing what
was necessary ... I wasn't rolling over for you ... no way ... not
that easy ... you mongrel.
My family and friends ... set my spirits free ... my soul and
memories I have given to my family and friends, for them to
keep, for eternity.
Cancer, you mongrel ...all you ever do is Take, Take, Take ...
I am now with my family and friends on the other side.
You never give ... and you are never satisfied until you take
everything.
I am with my family here.
You tried to take everything that is mine ... even my soul and
spirit ... didn't you ... you mongrel.
I am sad ... but at the same time ... happy ... and I can visit my
family and friends anytime ... anywhere ... I am no longer your
prisoner ...
I am free of pain ...
Cancer ... you mongrel
I am my own man ... or spirit again
You took control over my body ... you held it captive, like a
prisoner.
You were mercilessly and strategically ruthless ... as you started
shutting down all the things I once took for granted.
I do though truly hope ... that the day ... will come when you ...
cancer, you mongrel ... will never do what you did to me ... to
anyone again
Walking, Standing, Feeding myself, being outside, fishing,
So goodbye and good riddance you free loading mongrel.
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