ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Having been chastised by a certain purple people-eater....oops....er, purple moderator...for my recent lack of forum participation, I herewith offer these humble lines prompted by a photo in today's local paper of a magpie courting a winged garden ornament...
Cheers, Will.


Tho’ Love Be Blind

There’s an angel at the bottom of my garden.
With wings outspread, she’s fashioned out of stone.
In sun or rain she sits with features hardened
and contemplates the flowers, all alone.

Alone, that is, til someone came a’courting
last week, as Spring came laughing through the trees.
Dressed in his best tuxedo and cavorting;
advancing and retreating by degrees.

His feathers ruffed, he carolled with a passion
while she, in stoney silence, took no heed.
Convinced none could resist his Magpie fashion,
he pressed his suit, determined to succeed.

He strutted his best stuff; he posed in profile;
he fetched a juicy grub for her to taste.
He spread his wings and at her feet bowed low while
she watched emotionless, aloof and chaste.

At length the silence of his would-be lover
had his soaring ardour in retreat.
He voiced a cry, alike the lonely plover,
then flew away, crestfallen in defeat.

I wondered what it was that drew him to her...
that made him wish to share with her his nest.
Beware, lest you should meet with such a stranger...
and by her beauty be both cursed...and blessed!

© Will Moody 2011

Your work never fails to move me with its beauty Will - and you have done it again. This is beautiful

Cheers

Maureen

She's all bluff Will, You keep putting them up whenever you like and if they are as good as this we don't mind waiting.


Purple People Eater, just what did go on down at the Festival ???? Nudge Nudge.


You don't happen to own a yellow teddy do ya Will ???


Bob

Go to the top of the class Will!

Bob you had to be there. We can't tell else they won't let us in next year!

Heather

Love it Will.

Sue

Morning Will,

I have just read this poem. (I've been a bit off colour- not keeping up) What a lovely piece. When I read something like this it restores my faith in the Aussie male. You're not all yobbos are you? You have chosen simple language and yet, by tender arrangement, given it some special feeling. Poor Mr Magpie! No lady for him today. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Boy am I kicking myself for not making the extra effort to attend Morriset! I missed meeting so many of our mob that I would ove to meet. Lets hope you all can come again next year and that I'm able to get there. (to play but not compete)

That is lovely Will, really lovely. BTW I believe Magpies mate for life, so this poor little fella must have lost his one love. Perhaps he saw her somehow in the angel?

Hi Will,
Good to see another of your excellent poems again, where have you been hiding?
I'm almost as bad just making sporadic visits myself.

Regards Terry

Excellent and superb Will.
Good to see you back.

They are not humble lines, in my view they are poetic expression of a high accomplishment.

Thank you all for your kind comments everyone. As I mentioned, it was a simple photo in the local paper that prompted the poem. It struck me as rather funny to begin with, but as it turned out the poem became a bit allegorical...unattainable love and all that.

As for the Morisset week-end Zondrae, you did miss out big-time. Got to catch up with the three sisters...(Heather, Trish, and Owly)...among others and got to meet Manfred the Man, while having a great time in a great setting and receiving great tips and advice from the best in the business. I had hoped to get to meet you Zondrae, and to catch up with me ol' sparring partner Neville...oh, well...maybe next time.

Cheers, Will.