ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

The Aussie Gambler


Now Billy was a gambler
at every chance he'd bet a buck.
But he lost more than he ever won
as he wasn't blessed with luck.

Then Billy won a cockatoo
in a pub out back of Bourke;
That's not so lucky you might say
but gees that bird could talk.

Not only could this bird converse
and whistle on demand;
it spoke English, French and German
and would do so on command.

Now Bill saw this as his big chance
to make a pile back in the city.
One bet was all he reckoned
that would see him sitting pretty.

The pub was packed with drinkers
this was as good as it would get!
Bill held the parrot up on high
and shouted "Place your bet".

"Two to one" called Billy
"This parrot does not squawk
but in English French or German
can this wily old bird talk".

The bets came flowing thick and fast
as punters saw the chance was hot;
to take poor Billys money
a thousand dollars was in the pot.

But when the final bet was laid
Bills hopes fell in the gutter.
Try as he might to coax it
not one word would that bird mutter.

Thirty minutes went so slow
Bill slumped back in his chair.
He paid out all the monies laid
and left the bar room in despair.

Outside the pub Bill cursed the bird
"you useless rotten clown
not only have you lost my dough
I'll be a joke all over town".

The parrot slowly looked around
as Bill languished in his sorrow.
"shut up ya mug" it whispered
"think of the odds we'll get tomorrow".

Bob Pacey ( C )

Hey Bob that's good...... is it yours or did you just put the joke into rhyme...?

The poem is mine the joke is anon.

Been doing it as a performance piece for years just made a few changes


always well received. Thought we needed to lighten up the forum a bit

Bob