ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A true story.

Opportunity Shops

I found them in a corner hidden by some bargain clothes
how they got there was a mystery on it's own.
Never one to miss a bargain I stuffed them in my bag
before the opportunity had flown.

There were old LPs and cassettes, bargains on the back wall shelves
but none would be more valuable then this.
I had often wandered through here when I had time on my hands
a half an hour of peace and utter bliss.

I sometimes watched the shoppers as they tried on hats and cloths
some took ages just to pick and choose.
I often wondered at their background, of their situation now in life
and what it would be like to wear another's shoes.

So much trash or treasure lined the old and battered shelves
bits and pieces now disgarded from some life.
A teddy bear, a battered doll and some old worn paperbacks
a golf club a fishing reel and knife.

Oh I forgot about my treasure as I rambled on and on
I get that way when I go down there to shop
It was a box of old Bronze Swagman books from many years ago
when I saw them well I thought my eyes would pop.

So now I sit here reading every verse from a long time ago
some editions went back to nineteen eighty two.
Not a treasure by some peoples gauge but they really were by mine
whoever dumped them really would not have a clue.

Bob Pacey (C)

Wow! A treasure indeed, Bob!

It's amazing what you find sometimes - I once picked up a hard cover 1935 edition of CJ Dennis' The Singing Garden in an op shop in Melbourne. It is in remarkably good condition. Small, green and quite drab in appearance - it probably was passed over by many shoppers not realising what a treasure they had overlooked!!

The flyleaf is a beautifully detailed black and white photo of The Singing Gardens at Toolangi - a snapshot in time from 80 years ago!

Cheers, Shelley

I meant to get back to you earlier Bob and say good on you for being so quick off the mark with this poem - and glad the little problem was solved for you.

You might want to put a , after golf club - you and Shelley must have a better range of Op shops to what I have - I have never yet come across a decent book of poetry in the ones I have visited. You put the prompts to excellent use in this poem Bob.

I'm prompted to say "Well done Bob" so ... well done Bob.
Wazza

Thank you Wazza I still have a lot of reading to do.


Bob

Very enjoyable poem Bob, and what a great find - that was so lucky!