ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

WATCH THE MOON


What did she feel? So many things. Abandonment, broken heart strings,
despair and anger, hurt and pain, the wasted time to love again.
The hours spent, the bridges crossed, the new rules learnt which now were tossed
aside – of no account it seems, the end of hope, the end of dreams.
The fear of being all alone, unloved, unwanted – one old crone
well past the flush of youth and spring – now autumn leaves were fast falling.
How could this be? It was not fair. Twenty good years were wasted there.
But such is life and life goes on. Look at the moon, rewrite the song.

The simple things, they still remain. Ones family are still the same.
They sing a pure note – hold it true, and always they are there for you.
She fell, she cried, she wept, she wailed, she felt that she had really failed.
Not so they said, you loved, you tried, you gave your best – put hurt aside.
And knowing the advice was good – she did; stood strong. They knew she would.
The women of the world unite, when chips are down, they’ll fight the fight
and stand united as a throng – across the world the links are strong.
For women everywhere each night, watch the same moon and share it’s light.

Maureen Clifford © 01/13

You're not a crone Maureen. We won't have it.

I thought that was well written. Making the sense across the line ends I think is a good way of creating interest and variety.
I don't know about watching the moon. Wowolves

You are a kind man Neville Old crone seemed better (poetically) than perhaps

The fear of being all alone, unloved, unwanted – one old witch/bitch
the old bogan from Logan town that suburb not far from Ipswich

All of that is totally untrue by the way - so fear not This was written to prompts on another site I belong to, so just thought to share it.

I love watching the moon, find it totally fascinating, and werewolves, well they're canine aren't they. Nice puppies.

Cheers

Maureen

Yes Maureen, the moon is one of the great sights and great wonders of of nature ( or creation, as I would have it )

Last night , I was thinking of your lines about the women of the world uniting as a throng.
There was a repeat documentary on SBS about the women's temperence movement in America, with their marches and political fights. They were motivated by the complaint that alcohol was causing them and their families to be abused and neglected by their men. They made a difference all right, they caused the advent of Prohibition. Sadly the consequences weren't as they hoped. Good intentions maybe, but a bad idea.

Very interesting and amazing chapter in history, probably never to be repeated.

Oh well, Neville, at least we get to prohibit heroin and marijuana and lots of other stuff. It would be a shame to put an end to all drug-related crime. It's such good movie fodder.

Maureen, we men howl at the moon, too, sometimes - or so I'm told.

Nice poem.

The difference there Stephen, those drugs have never been legal in our society, alcohol has, or is, so my definition of prohibition would be "to take away a privilege" as opposed to never allowing one to exist.

Yes, Ross, perhaps you are right.

When I was prescribing methadone back in the 80s I became interested in the history of opiate legislation in this country. I know that opium use was very widespread - and widely available - in the 19th century in Australia, but that was obviously before the days of Federation. Was it illegal anyway back then under state law? I don't know.

I did read that opiates became illegal in Australia in the 50s, at the urging of the U.S., but I found it difficult to believe it was as late as that.

One thing that I did learn - which I also find difficult to believe - is that the reason plans for heroin decriminalisation stalled in this country at one point was that the Americans threatened to boycott the importation of opiates from Tasmania if we proceeded.

I know the senior doctor at the methadone practice I worked at was firmly in favour of the continuing criminalisation of opiates. He believed the alternative would lead to epidemic intoxication. Perhaps he was right. Certainly, the thought of purveyors of opiates sponsoring major sporting events sends shivers down the spine...

Yeah that is true Doc, it is hard to know what is or ever was legal I suppose, in some cultures, rape is accepted and some murder or "payback" if you prefer, it all just depends on the people making the laws at the time.

Maybe women of the world will unite for the Lysistrata solution, Maureen ?

Now Neville,

Those types of tactics went out wit the pill. These days they find offering 'more' gets more results than offering less.