The Crocodiles Are Crying

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING!

by Rupert McCall 2006


Endless visions fill my head- this man- as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin-just put everything aside
It comes back to his family-it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive-Crikey-light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in the classic 'Stevo' crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
It's one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
It's one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
It's another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right-I guess he always knew
From his father's modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads-but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it-the more he had it right
If you're going to make a difference - make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes- he went head first!

But he made the world feel happy with hiss energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it's hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dread for conservation

...My daughter broke the news to me- my six year old in tears
It was like she'd just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best....she said"The crocodiles are crying"

Their best mate's up in heaven now- the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers,poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as we'll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy- he was rough....but he was real

As sure as 'Crikey!' fills the sky
*I think we'll miss ya Steve....goodbye

Steve Irwin : February 22, 1962 - September 4, 2006

Australian had come to all but a stand still on Monday, September 4th 2006 when announcements began to come over the air ways that Steve Irwin had died.

I was at work when Nancy asked if I heard that?

"What", I asked her?

The radio station repeated the sad news of Steve Irwin's death and yet two days on we are all still saying how difficult it is to believe.

He is one of only three people killed from a Stingray barb in Australia and one of 20 confirmed deaths in the world. The camera was still shooting, capturing images of Steven removing the barb before his death. Dr. Geoff Isbister at the Mater Hospital in Newcastle described the death: "What happened to Steve Irwin is like being stabbed in the heart. It has little to do with the venom and all to do with the trauma caused by the barb of the Stingray".

There isn't just a single word to describe Steve and what he meant to Australia, to the people of Australia and those world wide, but rather a multitude of words; he was a true blue Aussie larrikin. He took the most unbelievable risks and I was never too sure if I would be able to sit through a whole show or if I would have to turn the television off. I some how managed to stay to the end of each show and each time I was pleased I did despite my sweaty palms and a racing heart wondering if he would manage to avoid getting hurt.

Without doubt, Steve knew animals but not just knew them, he loved them. He had an uncanny ability to know just how far he could go to avoid getting stung or bitten.

He was a conservationist.

He was loved by all ages and all races.

Steve Irwin on:

MORTALITY - " I have no fear of loosing my life, if I have to save a koala, or a crocodile, or a kangaroo, or a snake, mate I will save it "

SUITS AND TIES - " But the pain of standing there in a suit with a tie around my neck (on his wedding day in 2002), I tell ya, I'd sooner have a python around me neck "

CRIKEY - " Crikey means gee, whiz, wow! "

FEAR - " I get called an adrenalin junkie every other minute, and I'm fine with that "

AUSTRALIA - " I'm a proud Australian, a very, very proud Australian "

PARROTS - " The only animlas I'm not comfortable with are parrots, but I'm learning as I go. Yeah for some reason parrots have to bite me. That's their job. I don't know why that is. They've nearly torn my nose off. I've had some really bad parrot bites. (But) I'm getting better and better at 'em. I really am "

EMOTIONS - " Where I live, if someone gives you a hug it's from the heart "

What others are saying about Steve:

" It's insane mate. I'm bigger that 10 bears. I reckon you'd be pretty right if you said I'm the best known Aussie in the world "

" I would never blame an animal if it bit me, that is for sure, because I'm at fault, not them "

STEVE IRWIN on Irwin

" He was the genuine article. What you saw was what you got. He took risks, he enjoyed life. He brought immense joy to millions of people. I feel very distressed "

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD

" He was a great ambassador for Australian larrikin values "

Opposition Leader KIM BEASLEY

" The world has lost one of the great natural historians and I am very, very sad about it "

Fellow Naturalist DAVID BELLAMY

" I know that he led a dangerous life but it just doesn't seem right that a fish should kill him . . . It is an unfitting death for him "

African Crocodile Hunter KHALID HASSEN

" He is going to get killed the way he is going "

Outback Adventurer MALCOLM DOUGLAS

" He is a modern - day Noah and should be acknowledged as such "

R.S.P.C.A.

" Steve is with his maker, the same one that made all in the world that Steve loved to show us "

Senator BARNABY JOYCE

Rest In Peace Steve Irwin, you will remain in the hearts of millions around the world.