ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Greetings Maureen and All ...

As the new kid on the block, I trust you'll allow me to join the writing workshop, which I think is a great way to hone our skills with fun challenges, and receive feedback from fellow poets.
An interesting collection of terms this week - all of which suggested "garage sale" to me. So now I'm going to raise a controversy right from the start ... is it "gar-ah-dge, or garr-idge? I consulted the world expert (Google) and it seems both may be acceptable. What does everyone think? I say "gar-ah-dge" (which is obvious from its placement in my homework poem) ...

ODE TO THE GARAGE SALE

The heartland of suburbia on Saturday at five
shugs off its weekend sleepiness and boldly comes alive.
The neighbourhood’s downsizing and garage sales are the go.
The cul-de-sac’s like Queen Street with a constant traffic flow.

You’ll find a wealth of treasures that you cannot live without –
just perfect for the poolroom is that mounted singing trout!
There’s secondhand bush babies, lots of teacups that don’t match,
and for the blokes there’s tools and fishhooks – guaranteed to “catch”!

There’s nothing quite like rummaging through stuff someone’s chucked out!
But one thing you are hoping most of all – without a doubt –
to find some bric-a-brac that you’ve picked up for fifty cents
is worth a fortune … well, say twenty bucks, at all events!

(c) Shelley Hansen 2014

Nicely done Shelley and I pronounce it the same as you. It is lovely to see you here and of course you are welcome - this is open to everyone

Your poem resonated totally with me because at the moment I am doing just that - decluttering via online sales and trying to avoid having a fair dinkum Garage Sale

Thanks Maureen - and it must be the season for decluttering the house and the mind, because I'm doing the same. It's one of those things that's been on the list for some time - and now that I'm retired, I've got no excuse to put it off any more! I think this subject has potential for a much longer poem ... so I intend to keep working on it with a view to extending it into something Rod and I can add to our repertoire and perform.

Good one Shelley, Yes many a story to be told about a garage sale!

Ron

I've recently done the downsizing thing and gave heaps away and now I make a conscious decision not to start collecting again.

Heather

Goodonya Shelley. That gives the idea.

G/day Shelly,
I should have garage sale myself - either that or a few visits to the rubbish dump.

Terry