ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Forgive me Banjo for the liberties taken here

The Droving Days

“Only a pound,” said the auctioneer
“Only a pound; for the drovers gear
Selling this junk, be it gain or not-
Only a pound for all of this lot?
likely vintage stuff in here I’ll swear;
Only a little the worse for wear;
Plenty as bad to be found in town,
Give me a bid and I’ll knock it down;
Sold as it lies, and without recourse,
Give me a bid and this junk is yours.”

Loitering there in an aimless way,
Somehow I noticed him old and grey.
Weary and battered and drunk of course,
Yet when I noticed the old bloke’s horse-
Without a saddle or single rein;
Saw the old blokes hand on its tangled mane.
Straightway the crowd and the auctioneer,
Seemed on a sudden to disappear.
Melted away in a kind of haze-
For my mind went back to the droving days

Back to the pubs and sloshed again,
After six months on the salt bush plain.
Full as a boot from too much beer,
Ending up broke like the old bloke here.
Threatened those days for unpaid bills;
Riding like hell for the far off hills.

“Only a pound and I’m going to sell,”
So I made a bid, saying what the hell;
Third and last time one two three,
And the old bloke’s gears knocked down to me.
Taking it over to where he stood,
Handed it back and I felt real good.
Shaking his hand and wishing him well;
whether it sunk in, was hard to tell.
Drunk as a skunk and still in a daze,
Could have been me in the droving days.

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© T.E. Piggott

that's fantastic Terry. Well done. A bit of a joke tinged with some sadness.

Cracker Terry well said a story in itself.


Do you mind if I share it on my facebook Poetry site ?

Australian Bush Poetry With A Passion.

That's a ripper Terry! well done mate.

Ron

Thanks Neville and Bob

Use it by all means Bob, I'm pleased you see enough in it to put it up on your website Mate.

Neville
To be honest I have never been much for these, in fact I think this might be my first try (that I can remember anyway)

Cheers

Terry

Thanks Ron,
You snuck that in why I was replying to Neville & Bob.

Cheers

Terry

Aaah! You crafted that one nicely Terry - a poignant tale captured in your words - Well done indeed

Thanks Maureen

Terry