ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Bills thoughts and yarn - my words




A LITTLE TOUCH OF BLUE Maureen Clifford © 07/10


I was standing in the sale yards drinking down a brew
with a hot meat pie held in my other hand,
when I noticed by the slip rails a young and tear stained lad -
whose sorrow I just couldn't understand..
He tightly held the baling twine attached to a young pup.
A kelpie with a little touch of blue.
I asked him what his trouble was, for perhaps I could help
as I couldn't just ignore him – nor would you.

It seemed his old man was a Drover, but he had passed away.
He told of how he'd lost his Dad one night,
when lighting flashed and thunder crashed and all was dark and stormy.
The cattle rushed, and killed him in their fright.
Now there was only him, and his Mother and two sisters
and the little Kelpie pup there by his side.
But his Mother said the pup must go – she couldn't feed the family
and there was no place for the pup to bide.

“Mister you've got a kindly face, could you take my pup please,
and see he gets a warm bed and some feed”
I told the young bloke to wait there and went and got some tucker
for I recognized a Cobber in great need.
I went into the canteen and bought a pie for him,
and a cold one for the pup – they both looked thin.
He asked if I'd be kind enough to cut the pie in four
so his family could have some – not just him.

My heart it did a quiver as my mind was thinking back
for I'd been where he was often through the years.
I reached and got my wallet and ten pounds to help him out
which he refused, his young face wet with tears.
“ Sir, I don't want your money – we'll battle on some how
but I thank you very kindly for your offer”
“You misunderstand me boy – I want to buy your dog
and it's for his purchase this money I proffer.

I think I know already just how proud Mum is of you,
it's not a hand out Mate so please don't take it wrong,
sometimes we need a hand up and that's what I'm offering now
and you can do the same when able – pass it on.
You see I too was a drover and I've had a dog or two
and I like the look of him – he'll be a worker,
and I can tell that he is eager and I can see that he is smart;
my own dog is getting old – though he's no shirker.

So I'd like to buy your Kelpie pup – he'll come to a good home,
and he'll be well fed and housed I tell you Mate.
The ten pounds that I'm paying will surely help your Mum out,
and you know in time – things for you will be great.”
Which is why I share this story - think on what I'm telling you -
for in life some do the hard yards like these pups.
I like to think the Kelpie with a little bit of blue
likes the name he bears - I called the dog ' Hanzup'.

Maureen, what a touching story!! Is it based on truth?
Brave little bloke!!

Catchya
Irene

sob!

I can hear you Bill.

Hi Irene this is by the way a true story That Drover was me

and this is the original I let Maureen play around with it
now this is the original


That little Kelpie Pup ©

I was standing at the sale yards, in a little country town,
My right hand held a mug of brew a pie held in my left.
When I noticed by the railing, scrawny a tear stained little chap,
His eyes all red from crying, as tears they streaked his tiny face,
And he clutched a piece of hay band, tied to a cross bred Kelpie pup.

I asked what is the trouble, why such a teary face,
When a tale he started telling, about his family’s strife.
His dad he’d gone up droving, when one dark and stormy night
The cattle broke and rushed, and killed him in their fright.

Now mum and my two sisters are all that’s left here now
And this little Kelpie pup, mate, that we can’t even feed.
Me mum she laid the law down, and said that he must go
Before the daylights past or a grave, he’ll sorely get.
But mista, you’ve a kindly face, can you take him with you please.

Well I told him to stay there, don’t even move an inch.
And from the canteen I bought a pie for him,
And a cold one for the pup, for both looked rather thin.
He asked to use my knife, to cut that pie in four

For my mum, and sisters, they need it, that’s what for.
My heart it did a quiver as my mind was thinking back,
As I reached into my pocket to pull my wallet to out.
For you my little warrior, ten pounds to help along the way.
No sir, we do not want your money, we’ll battle on some how.

No my lad I said, from you, I’ll buy that little Kelpie pup,
That little kelpie pup crossed with a bit of blue.
You see I was a drover, and I’ve known a dog or two.
And please folks, think about this story that I am telling you,
About this little kelpie pup, crossed with a bit of blue.

Bill the old Battler

Well I give both of you a smack, that's two boxes of tissues today.

(To self, mutter, mutter, just get rid of the 'flamin horse poems' and they start on 'bloomin dog poems'.. mutter.. sob, mutter)

Not a bad story line, well told too. Alright, I won't give you a smack. How about a pat on the back? I do believe it is a true story.

Finally got around to setting this up as a Video Clip and if you are interested here it is.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PULeIHrATKg

Cheers

Maureen