ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES


My name is Ben I am a thief – I stole, that part is true
but I had starving children , so tell me what would you do?
My young wife died in childbirth, there were three kids at my hearth.
They’ve been sent to the workhouse now. Well that’s a bloody laugh.
The oldest one is only five, I fear for him each day
for no doubt in the cotton mills is where he’ll get to play;
scrabbling beneath machinery, gathering lint and fluff.
Yes food he’ll get but beatings too. Life shouldn’t be this tough.

My name is Ben I am a thief, I’m not sure what that means
all I know is that hunger pangs drove me to this extreme.
They say that I was homeless and was wandering the streets,
all true of course for that I was. Always happy to greet
and befriend those who shared a smile and pass the time of day
but now I’m trapped within these walls and no one want’s to play.
I get a good feed every day, and nothing wrong with that
but find it hard sleeping at night for one old whinging cat.

It’s Ben again, they’ve taken me in rotting hulks that leak
across the oceans to these shores so strange , full of mystique.
I’ve felt the cat across my back; my skin is ripped and torn
I’m sunk in abject misery. Wish I’d never been born.
My children I will never see – nor yet the hills of home.
My family is lost to me I stand here all alone
in a strange land , on a strange shore. Who knows how this will end.
Perhaps in time some man will come to me and call me friend.

It’s Ben again, they’ve taken me out of my prison cage
and slipped a chain around my neck. We’re starting a fresh page.
My misery is gone today I’m happy to be free
they say we’re going for a walk at a place they call sea.
I stand here close beside them wondering how this will end.
I sense that I’ve been here before, lonely without a friend.
Today’s a new beginning; I can run and chase a ball
I still feel that I know this place, but how I don’t recall.

And down upon the waterline on the deserted sands
one saw two sets of footprints , one were dogs – the other, mans.
And yet the dog was running free and no one else was there
but watching close one sensed a gentle hand smoothing his hair.
He turned his head, lifted his eyes, one saw his long tail wag,
he sat and watched, but who knew what. Perhaps some ancient lag
whose name was Ben walked ‘longside him on beaches without end.
I like to think that Ben met Ben, and both now have a friend.


Maureen Clifford © 02/13

That's very good Maureen. I don't know if I am up to the task. I did want to try.

You'd better Neville If I can do two surely you can manage one - please pretty please -----don't make me beg.

Glad you liked it

Do hope some others will have a go at it - surely the topic wasn't that bad

I think you write em first then tell us about the topic Mausie ????


Bob

So not so Bobby - I am hurt to think you think I would do that. I start the same as everyone else with the idea when it hits the pages here.

I guess I am just blessed with an active imagination and the ability to write pretty much on anything at 5 minutes notice. I don't have a problem with not finding the words

After I made the comment about the cat getting your tongue I thought I should put my money where my mouth was and did - A bit longer than Marty's 5 minute write though, it took me about 10 minutes.

Oh shit I only get called Bobby by my sisters when I'm in trouble.


my comment was in jest Maureen.

should have put some of those little thingies up there.


Cheers Robert

I figured you was gammin Bobby