ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

This week's prompts took a bit extra thought for me, Maureen - quite a challenge! However my mind went down a similar path to David's - all of the phrases seemed to suggest memory and reminiscence. As you know, I like to try to use all the prompts exactly as you've given them, but the one prompt I struggled with was "weeping willow". Eventually I had to tweak it to fit my rhythm.

REMEMBER?
© Shelley Hansen 24/1/16

We had our white wedding one warm Winter day;
together we’ve travelled the trek of “Life’s Way”.
Some days have brought joy that is balm to the bones,
while others brought sorrow – a cascade of stones.

Yet now as I look at the loss and the gain
I cannot be sad. I’ve no right to complain.
We’re not millionaires, but we’re richer by far
for light of each memory shines like a star.

Remember the first house we bought for a song?
House prices were low in those days. It was long
ere the TV reality shows made a splash
we did our own “reno” with our hard-earned cash.

Remember our garden – the white Iceberg rose?
You watered and weeded at day’s gentle close.
It made such a contrast to Kardinal’s red –
Elina’s soft yellow completed the bed.

Remember our picnics down by the lagoon?
We’d bask in the shade till the early dusk moon
was broken on water stirred up by the breeze –
the white egrets roosting in draped willow trees.

Remember our visits to Brisbane Arcade?
The linen embroidery shop – all hand made –
and Coles cafeteria, where we would sup …
the man in the lift would intone Going Up!

The years have slipped by and have seen us grow old,
but love has grown stronger, to have and to hold.
We know there’s no storm that can drive us apart;
we don’t fear the Winter with Spring in our heart.

A beautiful write Shelley, well done - and always feel free to tweak the prompts - nothing is set in concrete.

Love these lines -

Some days have brought joy that is balm to the bones,
while others brought sorrow – a cascade of stones.

Thank you Maureen

Well ! the Coles cafeteria and the shop lift operator, there's a blast from the past Shelley.

Yes indeed Nev. The poem does contain a little bit of poetic licence (not much) - but that bit is definitely all true! The old Coles did a great meal. Someone else (I can't remember who, regretfully) has written a poem about one of the "lift men" and his hidden story.

Both the cafeteria and the man in the lift are long gone now, as is the linen shop in Brisbane Arcade. It was run by two old stiff-collared ladies in black and the merchandise was just exquisite at comparatively low prices. I still have an embroidered blouse and some pillowslips purchased there and just can't bring myself to get rid of them! An essential port of call on every visit to Brisbane CBD. Alas - also long gone.

There was also a fabulous old fashioned Chinese restaurant in Queen Street - the Sun Lok ... but don't get me started!!

Cheers
Shelley

Ingenious, Shelley. This was a tricky combination of prompts, but your trip down memory lane has dealt with them beautifully.

Cheers
David

Thank you very much David!

I agree - a wonderful walk down Memory Lane Shelley, and incorporating the prompts very well. I like these lines too - more people should focus on the value of such things:

We’re not millionaires, but we’re richer by far
for light of each memory shines like a star.

Thank you Catherine, and I agree .. some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing!

Cheers, Shelley