ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Well, Maureen - it seems that the prompts of late have a certain recurring theme of "moving on"! Does this have anything to do with your recent upheavals, I wonder?

My effort last fortnight received absolutely no comments - which is a good indication that I'd better lift my game!!

So I decided to take a slightly different approach in both subject and structure this time ... especially as we have friends going through this at the moment ...

EMPTY NESTERS
(c) Shelley Hansen 30/3/17

The plight of empty-nesters is a common one today.
When youngsters leave and strike out in the world
some parents aren’t prepared
and face the future somewhat scared,
while others feel their wings have been unfurled!

Some buy a condominium and leap into the fray
of “sea change” on the Gold Coast, to enjoy
things classified as “fine”
like scented candles, rosé wine.
designer clothes, perhaps a sleek “boy’s toy”.

Like rolling down a “B&D”, some calmly put away
the years of “heavy lifting”, making do.
Grey nomads roaming free
across Australia, sea to sea
are spending an inheritance or two!

Some make a new commitment to their work, decide to stay
productive in a way they hadn’t planned.
Some take a “tree change” route
of self-sufficiency, to suit
a long-held wish to farm a piece of land.

But whether you decide to stay at work, or opt for play
You’ll often find that in the years to come
the ties that bind are strong
and though the kids may move along
they’ll turn up when they need their Dad and Mum!

Hi Shelly,
Very apt ! I like it especially "and though the kids may move along
they’ll turn up when they need their Dad and Mum!"
I always tell people when they have children, "It's for the term of your natural life!" and of course we wouldn't have it any other way! Enjoyed your approach.
Cheers
Dot

I love being an empty nester Shelley. A way off retirement though. I like to call it my refirement....
When life wil REALLY start. Not planning to move anywhere, just go places.
I do like your poem and the different style.

Great use of the prompts Shelley and a little different in the rhyming scheme as well - nicely done.

Doubtless my upcoming move is slanting my prompts in one direction since it seems to have taken over my life at the moment - I will be glad when I get back to 'normal'

Thanks Dot, Wen and Maureen ...

Yes, it's fun to mess about with different rhyme schemes now and then. Can't stay in the "box", can we??

Maureen, I'm sure you are looking forward to life returning to a more settled routine - moving is always a challenge!

Cheers
Shelley