ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

You'll have seen from Marty's posts how much an influence Dad had in our lives. Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of his passing. After reading Marty's tribute on the weekend (Save a spot for me) I got to thinking of the last time I spoke with Dad. Dad passed away soon after I last saw him. Dad shared with me his love of reading and the world around him. Its a great legacy to be left......

(thanks for the inspiration Marty)

Final Words...
The phone calls said you’d faded, that I’d better come home fast
I had so far to travel I didn’t know if you could last
It took so long to get there, not knowing what I’d find
A body that had said “enough!”; inside an empty mind

By the weekend you had rallied, improving so it seemed
But deep inside there’d be no better days of which I dreamed
And though I tried to hide it, I know you sensed my fear
A classic understatement...”I wondered why you’d all come here”

I shared our tales and stories, as I gently held your hand
Of ancestors who sailed the world to travel to this land,
Of uncles who died at war, of when you took your turn
Our family and your love Tess for whom your heart still yearned

You’d had the chance to travel, you’d laid your eyes upon new lands
You’d met new friends and family, worked honestly with heart and hands
And though the journey wasn’t smooth, at times you’d had a ball
And most importantly for me, you took the time to share it all

And then that final moment; that time to say that last goodbye
Though I tried with all my strength, I couldn’t hold the tears I cried
For though you thought my stories grand, there’s irony you see
I was only sharing with you the things you’d shared with me.

never forgotten
Tom Boyce
26 December 1923 – 7 June 2010

Beautiful Trace. Thanks for sharing it. It is obvious your dad was a very special man in your life; very much loved. He is still with you though.

Heather

Definitely resonates Trace and I totally agree with Heather - I am sure your Dad is still around looking out for you pair - God knows someone has to try and keep Marty on the straight and narrow - very well crafted IMO and thank you for sharing.

Cheers

Maureen

That's very well done I reckon Trace. You're good at this.

The inclusion of details of where things happen is what makes your poem come to life,
e.g. "the phone calls said you'd faded."
" a classic understatement..." wondered why you all came here "
and there are others.

I think that this is what we have to aim for in our poetry, not just explaining things but showing by concrete examples ......as you have done.

Trace and Marty,

this is one stanza from a poem I wrote when we took my grandmother's ashes back to the town of her birth. Thought it was fitting for you two.

You’re never further than a thought;
a beat within a heart.
Within each one of us you live
we’ll never be apart.

Heather

Hi Trace,
I was up bush when my Dad died, I was eventually contacted via the Flying Doctor Radio which was the only remote contact service available those days. I've always regretted not being there at the end.
A nice poem trace.

Terry

Heather, Maureen, thankyou for the thoughts. Tom was indeed a special man. Heather I really liked the stanza from your poem about your grandmother. Can certainly relate to that.

Neville, thanks for the feedback on this post, and my previous efforts. Appreciate you taking the time to offer advice and counsel. Its a long time since I've written any words that resemble poetry, but I'm really enjoying it.

Terry, whatever the circumstances I don't think there is any easy way to lose someone who is very close to you. What we all take from our parents is a lifetime of little things that all add up to a large part of who we are today. I've always travelled a lot with my work, and Tom always told me to go off and make my life, not sit around waiting for something to happen to him. Have no regrets; appreciate what you were able to share.

(About now Marty would probably tell you I'm the philosophical one.... )

You're probably the good looking one too Trace! Ooops, now i'm in trouble...

I had to say goodbye to my dad in 2006 and it was a heart tugging experience.

Lots of good memories though.

Sad read Trace but nice reflections.



Merv.