ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Road to Mandelay

One evening leaning back against a old stump
and watching, gazing at the bright red embers.
Some pieces of and old tune came into my mind
that my father used to sing to me, when he was home.

By an old mulmein pagoda looking eastward to the sea
there's a Burmese girl awaiting and I know she thinks of me

See Dad served in the first world war, and spent time in Burma.
And he told me it was a place of warm seas, and barmy breezes,
and a place that held fond memories, so very different to the war.
Suddenly my mind went blank, but the tune it came back with ease.

And the wind is in the palm trees and the temple bells they toll
come ye back you Aussie solder come ye back to Mandolay


Sadly today I remember he's has been gone for nearly thirty years.
He was once big and tall, but now, he's bent, from years of toil.
It's strange I thought how in my mind, I could still see him,
and I can still hear him humming as I happily bounced on his knee.


Come ye back to Mandolay where the flying fishes play and
the storm comes up like thunder over China cross the bay

Times maybe strange, but those memories they still dwell in my mind.
Mum has now gone so has dad, and I wonder what will my children
think and remember about me, in those years after I have gone.
And this old fire burning in front of me will be long gone too.

And that was the song my dad sang, and it is still in my memory

Balmy breezes perhaps Bill as I doubt they had gone insane or barmy


The Road to Mandalay is a wonderful poem - I always liked it - the pictures the words paint are magical. It's a nice memory to have of your Dad Bill

There's nothing like gazing into a campfire in quiet time Bill, that lets the mind recall treasured memories of the past.

Ron

Music, like sounds and smells can bring back memories. Enjoy yours Bill.

Heather

Bill, I know you only through your posts and a couple of audio uploads, but from what I've read and listened to I reckon your children will have only high praise and loving words when they talk about their dad.
Wazza.

P.S.
I hope it's a long way off.

Thank you Wazza