ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Most of the stuff on facebook and twitter and all those other social media sites is pretty mindless, but every now and then something pops up that almost takes your breath away and stays with you forever. This was one of those times. True story just as written. 'Dianna' is actually my cousin Dianne (who gained a syllable to fit the meter) and Jon is the youngest of her five children.

“Has anybody out there heard from Jon?”
Leonie Parker ©

Dianna’s youngest son is serving in Afghanistan.
The headlines scream “Another soldier gone!”
She opens up her Facebook page to rally all her clan.
“Has anybody out there heard from Jon?”

One by one her family and friends all join the thread;
one by one they tell her there’s no news.
The foreign correspondent on the TV fuels her dread
with nightly battle updates and reviews.

I marvel how a mother in this day and age can cope,
when every night the conflict goes to air.
While politicians beat their chests, Diana’s only hope
is soon it will be over ‘over there.’

Though many miles divide us I still feel Dianna’s pain;
a closeness from our childhood lingers on.
Her fear wraps around me in a way I can’t explain.
Has anybody out there heard from Jon?

Her Facebook friends all gather in attempts to ease her fright.
They tell her that they’re sure he’ll be ok.
One or two make jokes about his tardiness to write,
and she seems to be comforted that way.

Once again I marvel at this modern day and age
and how we often only see the flaws.
When scattered friends and families reach out to re-engage
computers open many, many doors.

While I sit here, musing, my computer softly bleeps.
One new post; it’s not a lengthy tome.
I raise a hand to wipe an eye as down the page it creeps.
.
.
.
.
“Hi, it’s Jon. - I’m ok. - How’s everyone at home?”

That's a ripper Leonie - well done - and as up to the minute as Bush Poetry could possibly get. Do hope you have shared this with Jon, he would be mighty proud to receive it. Easy to see why it would have been a winner.

Cheers

Maureen

Wonderful poem Leonie. A worthy winner.

Thanks Maureen, I don't know if Jon has seen it yet, but Dianne has, so no doubt he will too soon enough. Thanks Robyn and congratulations to you as well. I hear there will be a new trophy for your trophy shelf.

Good one Leonie. Haven't seen you post much lately but, you surely still have the knack.

Cheers, Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I'm not writing very much these days. I think we sort of run out of puff after a couple of years, and of course anything I do manage to write I tend to squirrel away for comps, it's that publishing thing again.

Absolutely a great poem! Well done!

Thanks Vic.

Yes Leonie I want to join in the accolades... Loved it.
Wazza