ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Hole for my Hip

© Stephen Whiteside 21.06.2012
 
I like sleeping rough in a tent on the ground,
But over the years there's one thing I've found
That's very important. I'll give you the tip.
First I must fashion a hole for my hip.
 
There's nothing much worse than a night that's been spent
Turning and tossing inside a snug tent.
I wake feeling weary. It ruins the trip
If I lie on the ground with no hole for my hip.
 
So now I'm quite strict (though it's sometimes a drag)
Before I relax and unroll my old swag
To dig me a hole, and then like an old ship,
I lay myself over the hole for my hip.
 
And if it's dug right, it feels comfy and neat,
And dreams, when they come will be pleasant and sweet.
I'll wake the next morning in ecstasy’s grip
Thanks to that small thing, the hole for my hip.

The old 'hip-hole' has gone the way of the rubberised sleeping mat and the dinosaur since closed-cell foam and Thermarest Stephen ...

Great poem too ...

True enough, Manfred. Thanks.

G'day Stephen,

I'd like to have a handy hip hole to take with me whenever I am away from home.

I don't sleep on the ground!
I only tried it once and when I opened my eyes to watch the sunrise, at ground level, I saw the whole earth around me moving. Yes, millions and millions of slaters were scuttling for safety, in any crack or hole they could find, as the sun's light hit them. I got up and slept in the car for the rest of the trip. Now, after several campervans and camper-trailers, we have an A van and I love it.

However having a hip hole sounds like heaven.

The poem flows along in a most pleasing manner. I didn't notice and hic-ups. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Zondrae. Yes, I suppose a hip hole is one of those handy things - like a sky hook - that you try to remember to throw into the back of the car at the last minute, but usually forget! (I never miss the glass tent pegs, though.)

Catchy camper poem and true, We always took a lawn rake or straw broom to get rid of the sticks and stones but now a days it’s swag on a stretcher or an innerspring mattress.

We still like to rough it but only in style.

TTFN

Thanks, Dave.