ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Hi All

Well, I've been blown away by all of your wonderful depictions of winter - and Bob's outline of the warmth of a Queensland chill!

So I decided to take a different approach and use just the one rhyming prompt - "a hot chocolate mug is as good as a hug".

LIFE'S SIMPLE THINGS
© Shelley Hansen 2023

A hot chocolate mug is as good as a hug
when the frosty air tickles my nose.
A billy of tea is uplifting to me
round the campfire that crackles and glows.

A bowl of thick soup makes me stop and regroup
when a busy day leaves me deplete.
With butter spread thick on fresh bread (that’s the trick),
it’s the ultimate comfort-rich treat!

A fresh mango slice is beyond any price,
and I can’t help but smile – come what may.
The softness and fun of a sweet fruity bun
takes me back to my school breakup day.

A sponge cake, so light, fills my heart with delight –
decorated with cherries and cream,
until I recall that my favourite of all
must be rum-infused fruit cake – a dream!

Fine flavours galore to enjoy and explore
are abundant in produce on earth.
But do we just brush through our lives in a rush
and forget to acknowledge their worth?

Let's never neglect to take time and reflect
on the blessings that each new day brings,
for better tenfold than the glitter of gold
are the treasures of life’s simple things.

Well, you've made me hungry, that's for sure, Shelley! ...But aside from that, this is delightful, and your last stanza is of course, spot on! It is the simple things in life that are often far beyond price, and I'm with you 100% on that!

OK, so guess what? I nearly forgot
what amazing fun this is.
Shelley, your tome is a really fun poem
with a message to finish - you wizz!

Love it Shelley and you've got me licking my lips too!
And totally agree that you nailed it with that last line. It truly is a blessing to be able to appreciate the simple things in life.
Cheers
Ron.

Hi Shelly

Apart from all those yummy things you mentioned, you also wrote of frosty mornings and crackling campfires,
and that took me back to my gold prospecting days and freezing frosty morns when everything was coated with ice.
We would have a roaring great fire to see in the dawn, but mug of coffee or tea with a slice of toast was about all that was on offer.
But like you still happy memories.

Terry

Thank you everyone for your kind words - and good on you Wendy, for a comment in rhyme!

Yes, the simple things in life - they can't be beaten, can they?

Cheers
Shelley

Works for me And when you throw in the campfire even better. Love it