ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I am not an especially politically motivated person...but...I'm afraid I took great umbrage at Joe Hockey's crying about how ''we'' all need to pull in our belts, because...they...had sent the country ''broke.'' My poem is for all the ''leaders'' of our country who got paid to stuff it, but Joe cops the worst of it.


'There’s No Notches Left On Our Belts'

© 2014 Glenny Palmer

Our Treasurer’s crying ‘The country is broke’
we must tighten our belts to get through,
well, there’s no notches left on our belts sonny boy
but by crickey mate you’ve got a few.

You’re telling an old bloke who lives on baked beans
that his habits are what is to blame;
that very same old bloke who fought for our freedom…
for God’s sake man have you no shame?

You’ve announced that we should have all carked it by now
but our reason for hanging on’s you!
we’ll live to three hundred if that’s what it takes
to annihilate your thieving crew.

Don’t mess with our pensions, I’m tellin’ you mate
cos there’s more of us oldies than you,
and if you think Labour’s a thorn in your side,
mate, you’ll wish you were dead if we blue!

Has it not crossed your mind that it’s your lot who sent
us broke;……. now what the hell will you do?
stick it up oldies and hard working folk
to maintain your obscene greedy crew!

They named you spot-on; you’re a Joseph alright *
to suggest that the most deprived folk
should pull in their belts while your Dolce & Gabbana’s
expanding, and that’s - why- we’re- broke!

Well here are some thoughts that will give you dyspepsia;
actions to take by your mob,
you could save mega millions from old PM’s perks
for their not turning up for the job!

(And just an aside while I think of it mate;
you could squirrel a quid or two there
for all of your mates for a Carnegie course
teaching dignity in the House…fair?)

We know that you already know all this mate
and you don’t give a small rat’s behind.
You’re in for your cut and you’re set up for life;
that’s the creed, mate, of all of your kind.

But there is a creed that you’d not even know;
it’s a creed that is honest and fair,
it’s the creed of the working man, down on his luck
but still willing and ready to share…

…still willing and ready to stand by a mate
when his livelihood’s under a threat,
and his only Diploma is Honour and Grit
but he’s too smart to shoulder your debt!

There wasn’t a whinge when our taxes rolled in,
and now that we’re old and in need,
you think we will buy all the spin and the lies
because you won’t relinquish your greed.

Well we won’t! and it’s time that you look to yourselves
to engage the funds clearly at hand,
allocated to excesses we can’t afford
that would balance the books of our land….

…cos there’s no notches left on our belts sonny boy,
there’s just no notches left on our belts!

(* Joseph Hunt)

Right on the money (again) ...

Kevin Hart ( contemporary Oz poet ) tells us that, that sort of poem is called an harangue.

...whatever it's called Neville, it is downright obscene to waggle their fingers at folks who already barely make ends meet, with the obvious intention of shaving the pension, when we (the lifetime tax payers) have our tax dollars squandered on financially propping up ex-PM's etc etc ad nauseum. If those excesses were reigned in the budget would be a lot closer to balanced.

I'm sure his mother loves him....

Yep, parasites the lot of them, seems to be the only thing that creates 'speed of light' bipartisanship - politicians perks!
Good one Glenny, but how's the blood pressure!

Ron

Very good Glenny ... I must try to remember not to write anything that makes you angry.
Wazza

Thanks Wazza. Nah...it's the other way 'round mate. I gets fired up & THEN I write....then I'm coool az again.

(Matt...have I been spanked...?? )

That's a relief Matty Lad....you are the Master of subtlety… while I have to figure it out! I thunked I was in strife there for a moment.

Wazza...as you were mate....sometimes my mind goes too fast for me & I balls it up. oh dear.

Ron....My doctor is always amaazed at how my blood pressure stays goodo...while my mouth is running in top gear & my red hair is sparking....ta mate.

Mr Boyce. I know you were being 'tongue in cheek'...however my sweet, that flippant, apathetic type of dismissal & acceptance (by those who are actually serious) is exaccerly what facilitates their ongoing embezzlement of our country's prosperity. (Just wait until you're old & grey. ) BTW...was ''I have a dream....'' just 'crazy talk'? (xx)

Ta everyone else...I can't get offa this page & I forget...XX