ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I have for some time been trying to trace my mothers ( who passed away when I was 16 ) side of the family.

I found this in an old edition of the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin written by her when she was still single.

Obedience

Children strive to do your work
Do it well and do not shirk.
When it's finished then you may
Go and play amongst the hay.

When your mother says do that
Run straight away and grab your hat.
Then go and do what you were told
And there will be no need to scold.

Edna May Greenough 14/3/1930

Amazeing. Bob

Isn't it though - I reckon it is handed down through the genes to a degree as well - in my own family discovered only fairly recently that my Grandfather and possibly my Great Grandfather as well - (they had the same name so it is difficult to be sure) were both poets and also my youngest niece can write and has written good poetry though she chooses not to pursue it.

It would seem this is a gift that your Mum has passed on to you and has now considered the time right for the giver of that gift to be revealed. How thrilled you must have been to come across this information. Maybe you will find more - how good would that be.

Cheers

Maureen

Oh wow Bob, fancy finding that out. I wonder what else she's written? She died when you were 16???? Oh no!!!!! That's terrible. I hope you do find more, just to know more about the mother you didn't have long enough.

At the moment, my kids aren't interested in my poetry. Perhaps in years to come (maybe after I too have passed on) they might read some and realise there was more to me than just the grumpy old woman who yells at them about cleaning up their room and not putting their plates in the sink! Maybe they will never read it, and I guess that won't matter, cos most of my stuff if purely fiction and isn't really 'me' at all.

Anyway, I hope you do find more of your mum's work, wouldn't that be wonderful.

I was in awe maureen and Kym. Even though i was only sixteen when mum passed away i still have some memories though vague and it was purely by accident that i found the poem in a little article called the Womans Club. i also found where my grandmother had won several Limerick competitions run by a local bakery.


Thats why I'm so tired was at the putor til the wee hours.

Thanks Bob

That's terrific Bob. A nice little find there. Your mum would be proud I think.

Heather

It's amazing, Bob, how we are formed by those who came before, whether we know it or not. .

Thanks Heather and Neville.

I have worked out my mum would have been about 13 years old when she wrote it so will persure that avenue some more.

I do not have many pictures of mum or for that matter of the family so it is a struggle to track things down. But as Msureen says Goggle is my friend and as Heather will tell you I'm a blody sticky beak.


Cheers and thanks all

Bob