My mum loved this when she heard it read on radio but I couldn't find a copy. Then out of the blue it arrived by e-mail

I never met Steve Irwin but I felt so touched by his untimely and bizarre death, as though I 'd lost someone I DID know.

Whether you liked him or not, I thought this tribute by Rup McCall was nice.

(Sorry Rup if it was copyright, I've blown it, mate)

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THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

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 that classic ÂStevo crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek

ItÂs one thing to be honoured as a champion unique

ItÂs one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved

ItÂs another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right  I guess he always knew

From his fathers 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 youÂre 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 his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that itÂs 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 dream for conservation

ÂMy daughter broke the news to me  my six year old in tears

It was like sheÂd 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 bestÂshe said "The crocodiles are crying"

Their best mateÂs 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 weÂll continue with the trademarks of his spiel

Of all the tributes worthy  he was roughÂbut he was real

As sure as ÂCrikey! fills the sky

I think weÂll miss ya SteveÂgoodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006