ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A Letter to his Dad
He had written to his dad, the way that young boys rarely do,
and he asked if he could have a bike - it didn’t need be new.
Anything would be ok and save him walking miles each day,
just to catch the bus, or visit friends, who lived five miles away.

Though he’d love a bike to ride, if it were possible somehow
but it didn’t really matter dad, if things were hard right now,
For he wouldn’t want to worry him - he knew that bikes were dear,
It was just a thought and nothing more, there always was next year.

Both his mum and sister were ok, but still he missed his dad,
he could still remember all the happy times that they once had.
he had asked his mum about it, but was told it couldn’t be,
there were things he wouldn’t understand, or even start to see.

He was told his hopes now for a bike weren’t likely to come true,
it was best if he forgot it and find better things to do.
Even so he’d walk down to the farm gate, when the mail truck came,
sadly though the driver shook his head, and each week was the same.

Christmas was just days away now as he met the truck again,
with his hopes no longer high, perhaps his wish had been in vain
But the driver had a big smile as he held the door ajar,
wide enough for him to see inside a brand new Malvern Star.

*****
© T. E. Piggott

A yarn with a happy ending Terry Just as an aside, Malvern Star harks back to the days when good things were manufactured in Australia.

Hi Neville
This is my second attempt, I didn't read the prompt properly,
and was well into a fairly long poem before I realized my mistake.

I did have a new Malvern Star, and yes my dad bought for me in similar circumstances to this poem.
And you're right, they were great bikes and it served me well for many years.

Terry

Winner winner - chicken dinner .... your childhood dream came true .... how lovely. Enjoyed the read and the nice positivity at the end

Happy endings are always the best!

Aw, this is lovely, Terry - such a happy ending. Mum and Dad were not wealthy, yet as a child they managed to make my dreams and those of my brother's come true with our beloved bikes - right down to the colours and styles! It's one of those things I really wish I'd asked them about in later years and can only hope and pray I appreciated enough at the time - how they managed to achieve this and what sacrifices they might have had to make in order to do so!