ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I posted this before but had to withdraw it to enter the comp. This is the winner.

Old Bill


Oh, your mane may be in tatters
And your coat a shaggy grey.
You can see a hint of stagger in your gait.
Yes, we've seen the years fly by Bill
Throughout the good times and the bad
But you're more than just a stock horse, you're my mate.

All those years of droving stock Bill.
Oh how the time has flown.
I'd swear you were a colt just yesterday.
I remember when I picked you
From that wild-eyed brumby mob
By gees you were a good'en in your day.

Wheeling cattle round the stock camp
While the rain came tumbling down
Chasing wild back country scrubbers with old Jack.
There was not a horse could beat you
When a mob had took to flight
I remember how we brought that baldy back.

At cutting steers around the yards Bill
There was ne'er better horse than you.
You were not the one to root or buck or stamp.
Holding cleanskins down for branding, sorting pikers from the mob
Or riding nightwatch around a dark and rainy camp.

And when I broke my leg at " Shanghai "
Trying to catch that brumby roan
A pitch black night without a moon or lamp.
I never would have made it without you at my side.
You carried me for miles back to our camp.

Now the years have taken toll Bill.
The long paddock beckons still
But you've done your watch and now's your time to rest.
Let your final years pass slowly
Where the sweetest grasses grow.
In my memory Bill you'll always be the best.

So graze down by the river, rest quietly in the shade.
Wander slowly on the flats down by the bend.
Our droving days are over
But I'll always be there with you Bill.
You're more than just a stockhorse
You're my friend.

Bob Pacey ( C )

Bbbbbooobbbo, you can't post something twice in the hope of getting extra nice comments. We're a wake up to you, you know.

Purple Moderator

Nice poem Bobbit. Worthy winner - do I still get to spend the winnings? he he

Purple Moderator in new clothing!

I only posted it again because Irene asked me to. Your comments have cut me to the bone as you know I'm quite a shy lad and would never seek to hog the limelight at any time.




Just cause you are a purple moderator does not mean that you can play with peoples emotions with gay abandon.


Do you feel guilty now.

And then you have the nerve to want to spend my prize money do you have no scruples.


Bob

And JUST who do you think you are calling gay? I'll have you know.... no, on second thoughts, mind your own business.

Holy snappin duck s..t

Not a good choice of words there was it.

Hang on The Tigers just scored. Good try.

Gay can mean happy you know just as Dyke is a little dam and Poof a puff of smoke.

Bob

You have a very wide vocabulary there Bob. Each to their own I say.

Got a call from the local paper yesterday and the want to do a story on the poem and the win. Thats the great thing about small towns everyone knows your buisness and everyone looks out for each other.


Will let you know how I go, Try to get a free plug in there for the ABPA.

Cheers Bob

You're a good lad Bobbo. You're not going to be in the limelight though are you? Might be a bit bright there for you.

You're doing great stuff for bush poetry Bob. Good on you.

Heather