ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Never refuse to reuse.
Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet


He was totally skint
on the ‘bare bones of his backside’ some would say
and all he had to show
for today
was a trail of trashed tickets
scattered like the petals
of the Flemington roses.

He was totally skint,
couldn’t even afford a beer
to wet his whistle.
But no good working up a sweat.
There were things to do here -
rubbish to collect.
Had these people never heard of rubbish bins?

Big rake, large hat, blue rubber gloves
and he went at it with a will.
Raking it, and binning it.
Tons of it – still.
Paper and cans and food scraps.
Seagulls everywhere
scavenging without a care.

And there amongst the torn betting slips
a flash of green - an emerald gleam
and Dame Nellie was on the scene.
The first rule in opera is the first rule in life
see to everything yourself
The first rule in garbology
finders – keepers,
recycle - reuse

So he cleaned up at the races Maureen.

Skint
“Who’s up for a flutter”? I heard Johnno ask.
“I’ve a mate says he’s got the good word
on a filly that’s having its very first start.
It’s a shoe in, can’t lose, what I heard.”
So I put on my very best boxers and thongs
and joined Johnno down at the track.
Ten bucks at the tote on the lady to win
and I thought there’d be no looking back.
But the filly was having a shocking hair day.
I’d run faster both legs in a splint.
So I booted me mate where the sun doesn’t shine
and walked home stone – broke, busted, skint.

Wazza

Love it Wazza - very Aussie boganish Good to know that he dressed up - keeping up appearances is so important.

Like your poem Maureen and also yours Wazza. Good to see what people come up with! me? Nothing yet!

Dot

You've still got a week Dot