ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

AN OLD SHACK BY THE SEA

I daydream how things used to be - those precious days with dad and me
and through the mists of memory, an old old shack down by the sea.
With miles of beach to roam or fish - fulfilment of a young boys wish,
those days were filled with happiness; this was a special place to be

And old tin shack among the tree’s that’s sheltered from the ocean breeze
and I recall the murmur still of gentle waves upon the shore.
But should the gales roar in at night, I’d lay awake, but not in fright,
my dad was there to reassure that soon the sea would calm once more.

I see him now so clear again - he was my hero way back then,
if only I could turn back time to relive youthful days once more.
I’d try to be a better son, not do some things that I once done,
but wishes are a waste of time, I had my chance then long before.

Again I wander through the sand while holding tightly my dad’s hand,
a youngster then with secret fears that children have when they are young.
We’d sit around the fire at night and play or read in feeble light,
I still remember stories told and all the songs we sometimes sung.

******

© T.E. Piggott

Similer memories to what many some of us had in our younger days. Though it may be a lot different and pleasant than what is now to be had by the modern generation.


bill williams

Nice one Terry. I wonder how the children of today will see their dads in memory. They will love them as they have always done but it's likely that the memories will be more about playing with dad at the x-box than at back yard cricket or footy kicking in the park ... or am I being too hard on modern dads?
Wazza

Simply lovely Terry - good to see you on a roll.

Heather

Thanks Bill, Wazza & Heather.

Bill
No matter what the memories let's hope they're happy ones.

Wazza
I often think of my old dad, he was a strong but gentle person who never once hit me (mum did that) - although I'm sure I deserved plenty.
Liker most sons I'm sure, I just wish I'd been a little more considerate.

In later years I'd wander off for years sometime and forget to keep in touch, he deserved better.

Hi Heather,
Thanks for the kind words. it's always encouraging.

Cheers Terry

my dad was there to reassure that soon the sea would calm once more.

Lovely line Terry - those of us who had Dads that gave us the feeling of security were the lucky ones I reckon, we are the ones with the good memories that stay with us no matter how old we might be ourselves.

Nicely done Terry and great to see you doing some homework

Thanks Maureen,
That subject lured me in - the shack mentioned in the poem was at a place Called Cordinup which was part of the Warriups area in the early days - great fishing spot as well.

Terry

Ditto all the above comment Terry Dad had to do the hitting at our place cause I was mums favourite.

He would only chase me as far as the back fence though and stop and call out " ya have to come home sometime son !

Spent a few nights sleeping in my pigeon cage under a potato sack.


Yes I think we all wish we could go back and do it again I never realised how proud he was of my success in business until I overheard him telling the nurses one day. But true to form he never told me but after that he never had to .


Tough but fair.

Bob

Hi Bob

I guess it's only after they've gone that we really appreciate how lucky we were.

We just took it for granted at the time.

Terry

Lovely poem Terry - and I too love the line Maureen has singled out. Dad was always there to reassure me in whatever situation I was in or insecurity I had, and he still is. I go down Memory Lane so many times in the same way as you have done here, and think this poem is simply and beautifully put.