Bootin' about the Bush.

[Rimeriter]

I learned late last night that my long time B.I.L. died.
He was an ol' bushie originally from around Wellington way, in NSW.
During night time hours, whilst dwelling on some of his life and times,
this piece came to me.
I wrote it in deference to Jack Slavin, Blathery Creek (Bakers Swamp), on the Sydney Road, just on twenty mile out of Wellington -

Tough Enough ?

Tough ? Tough as an old boot !
with a story to tell
the ol’ galoot,
sittin’ there
in ‘is bush rockin’ chair.

Thinkin’ of the times that was
when ‘e was young and that’s because
‘is eyesights gettin’ very dim
but, memories of long ago
still come to ‘im, but very slow.

Tough enough to work the plow, milk the cow,
shoe the ‘orse and that’s because,
couldn’ afford a farrier then.

Tough enough to walk the paddick, swing a pick
throw the mattick, grow some vegies, fix the roof,
repair the dam and still say -
“ Strewth”. “ They were times when livin’s easy,
but there were times, not quite so breezy.“

Tough enough to fight the flood, southern storms, locust swarms,
bushfires blazin’ across the ground, tree to tree, couldn’ see.

Lost a life. Lost ‘is wife. Now ‘e sits in reverie.

Tough Enough ?

(c). Rimeriter.
3/11/00.

Jack lived across the creek from me and me Mum. I'd often watch him from my back yard, sittin' in his chair, smokin' his ol' pipe.

[Dennis N O'Brien]

Yeah, I like this one Jim.

[Rimeriter]

"Thank you", Dennis.

Bushies of the old brigade.
I didn't get to know him well, I might have been around five or six ????

But I guess he came to our rescue when the older males were away, rabbit'n or whatever !!
I think I remember him helping when a goanna got into the chicken run.

"Keep well"
Jim.