ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The curse of old Queenslanders, 12 foot ceilings, dodgy light fittings and no ladder - and the son and heir O/S



HOT WIRED

The lights getting dimmer or is it my eyes? How come suddenly I can't see?
Reliant at night on the ghostly grey glow from a fast getting defunct TV.
I won’t light a candle ‘cause this house is old
would burn in a minute or so I’ve been told
that’s why there’s no heaters to keep out the cold
I don’t fancy a barbecued tea.

They said that the bride was wearing a train and I asked was it diesel or steam.
They looked at me strangely. I was OK just having a psychedelic dream.
I’d visions of Princesses walking down aisles
with a train full of wedding guests grinning great smiles
as they quaffed down their champagne in mighty fine style
but they didn’t save one drop for me.

The smoke from the smokestack was frothy and white and curled round her head like a veil,
the sound of the whistle Toot toot , toot toot toot – was the groom who had started to wail
that his A10 steam loco had run off the tracks
and how in the hell would it ever get back
I said don’t you worry we're all OK Jack
we can manage without GSP.

I seem to be losing the plot as we speak and my train of thought is somewhat strained,
Too many long hours watching weddings in churches and not a champagne for my pains.
I’ve become accustomed to nights deep and dark
with two dogs beside me both ready to bark
at the slightest noise heard outside in the park
and I think it’s all getting to me.

Suspect that someone has been spiking my drink for I’m not stupid usually.
Perhaps sleep deprivation is causing this thing and making me somewhat silly.
The electrician was here – he said ‘turn on the light’
and I asked him why? Was he staying the night
now the poor buggers packed up his bags in a fright
and said Madame my usual fee
will be halved if I do – I ain’t free.

I decided against it – it’s really too much, and good tradesmen are so hard to find.
This job has been dangling for eighteen months and needs closure ‘fore I lose my mind.
I know some would say it’s an opportunity
to fling off my hang ups and just let it be
but the bed only has room for the girls and me
so I reckoned to pass on the chance
I need light now far more than romance.


Maureen Clifford © 05/11

Maureeen Have you been smoking the leaves of your " tomato " plants ???

I sense a wedding coming on Maureen! Are you trying to de-rail it?

Have some more champagne Maureen!

G'day Maureen,

You may have noticed I don't comment on poems very often these days. ... But I think this is worth a line or two. Firstly I like the rhythm of the poem and the way you have set out the pattern of the stanza. There are so many double twists and possible hidden meanings that I will be re-reading it more than once. Whether you had this in mind and did it intentionally, I'm not sure. In any case, your output is still way beyond mine and I suspect you are deriving a great deal of pleasure from your writing. In MHO your writing is improving, in that you are getting closer to consistent metre, probably without even knowing it. I have to say, I like this one because it is slightly wackey.

Regarding your lighting problems - I suggest you buy a 12 volt LED lighting system. They give an amazing amount of light and seem to run forever on a battery.

Maureen Never Never Never Play with electricery.


Or Electricians for that matter.
or sparks might fly.



Bob

HEY BOB you know she is a live wire and who said she was playing

bill w

Oh I know better then to mess with Mausie !!!


Chews Men up and spits them out I have been told and if you mess with her then you have her mother to deal with Hey Dave.


Bob

What the????? What do you mean chews them up and spits them out??? I must be a bit of a toothless tiger in the chewing department as all took over 10 years to digest and it wasn't me doing the spitting out

Don't look at me Maureen I was in the same boat but it took thirty years to get chewed. or was that screwed?


Stiil waiting for all the bits to come back together.


Bob

totally of the original topic;

Next wednesday - Wayne and I will celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. Not much chewing going on here. Well not the type spoken of in the preceding posts anyway.