ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Life dictates


The day had been a long one and the night was getting cold
a winters chill was sweeping in and took a freezing hold.
I'd stoked the campfire up and got the flame just about right
so I thought that I might settle back with a glass of sparkling white.

Several folk had gathered round and settled in their chairs
I gazed contently at the flames dispersing all my cares.
I noticed in the firelight a woman standing on her own
beautiful eyes and flowing hair and so the seed was sown.

She seemed to drift into the scene and against my best advice
I thought that I might make a move cause she looked very nice.
I slowly stood and made my way around the campfires rim
but a bloody dog was lying there and I tripped right over him.

I staggered and fell heavily onto the concrete garden bed
then as I tried to stand again I wacked my bloody head.
A pool of blood began to show upon the well worn turf
romantic dreams just faded as I thought " I'm badly hurt "

The ambulance came quickly and they carted me away
They reckoned I was drunk but that was my first for the day.
They threatened me with hideous probes but I said I'm all right
I discharged myself and caught a cab, though I was a sorry sight.

Our life dictates the challenges that present themselves each day
and now and then a trial appears to test us along the way.
This incident has changed me and though you may think I'm dumb
I'll never touch the wine again cause now I'm back onto the rum.


Bob Pacey (C)

A wise move Robere - Rum warms the cockles of your heart and is a fine tradition as any old NAVY bloke will tell you. By 1650, a pint of rum had been unofficially adopted as part of the sailor's daily ration but the sailors' tot became another casualty of changing times on July 31, 1970, when the last rum ration was served on board HMS Endymion, marking the end of an era in naval history.

They probably didn't serve wine because they would have had drunken sailors tripping over things just as you did.

Good one Bob - I enjoyed reading this and it's a great use of the prompts. I haven't had a rum for ages - used to enjoy a Bundy or three years ago though.

Gotta watch that fizzy stuff, Bob! Gets right up your nose and affects your eyesight ... that's why you trip over things!

Good one Bob! Maybe you should have taken a torch.
Trish