ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

All the Prompts!

Now Bob says that I have to write
a ripping poem that contains
the prompts that he’s suggested might
be taxing for our poing brains.

So what’s he got? Hmmm now, let’s see,
I think I’ll start with “raging wall”,
then “lolling tongues” would have to be
the very next in line to fall.

Then “riotous ringers”? Well, OK,
although the metre’s somewhat out.
But, what the heck, for I could say
that rules are only there to flout!

Now “wicked horns” can get a look,
and “torture and sadness”, but again,
that bloody metre’s rather crook,
so this ain’t easy, that’s quite plain!

But “final moments” have arrived,
for that’s the last, I think you’ll find…
I’ve made it safely and survived,
so now my poem can be signed.

David 23/7/15

MMMMMMMMM


I don’t care if it’s a poem, an email, or a comment on this site, it is not something that should be scrawled in a hurry with a thumbnail dipped in tar. Virtually everything I post is written first in a Word document, carefully proof-read several times, and then transferred. Yes, mistakes can still be made, but this keeps them to a minimum. If some words consistently cause a problem, they can be kept, correctly spelt, on a list beside the computer, along with a dictionary to check the meaning.

Sometimes a poem written quick can say what needs to be said now
and errors are corrected as you write it aren’t they? Anyhow
I rather like what David’s done – he’s filled the brief and used all prompts
so his poem ticks all the boxes since Bob he’s fulfilled your wants.
And if the bloody metre’s crook then so be it – we’ll let that ride
because what’s done is done and better yet it’s done and he survived.

Thumbnail Dipped in Tar

Now, come on Bob - you've gone too far
to say a thumbnail dipped in tar
is evidence that one has rushed
to scrawl in haste the words that gushed!

A thumbnail dipped in tar, for sure
holds pride of place in tales of lore!
For Clancy's mate used this rude pen
to write to an accountant, when

this worthy soul demanded news
of Clancy. Yes, he paid his dues
by answering in plodding style ...
and you can bet, it took a while!

I see him now, the shearing mate -
his day's work done - he sits up late
and thinks of words that he must write ...
his lantern lighting up the night.

So, far from rushed, and far from scrawl
this outback shearer gave his all!
I wonder did he know that he
would loom large in our history?

So, homework-conscious, David might
have sat up writing verse all night
and pondered prompts with stifled yawn
until the bleary hours of dawn!

With "silly-bells" that would not fit
his sense of rhythm, think how it
would play upon his tortured brain
and cause him such po-algic pain!

And so, his "thumbnail dipped in tar"
is proof that he's exceeded par
addressing all the prompts you posed
before the final deadline closed!!

(c) Shelley Hansen 23/7/15

Bob: (Couldn't have said it better myself!)

Thanks, Maureen!

Love it, Shelley...beautifully done!

Cheers
David

AAAAAH the quote was Davids from his previous post Shelley not mine ?


I don't know why all the poem are directed at me I was only lamenting that after all the work that Maureen does not many forum members participate.


Bob

Well, I must have missed David's comment on the previous post, Bob. (See, you should have shown it in quotation format!!!) Never mind - you left the gate open and let me barge right in.

Why is the homework being directed your way? Wasn't it you who supplied the prompts for Maureen this time? And cracked the whip???

You must be happy with the results!

Cheers, Shelley

Still only five poets involved which for the number of poets on the forum is not really a very good effort.

Come on Bob ... glass half full, remember?? Five's better than none - and look what we've produced!!