ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I'VE GOT NO PRIDE.
Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet



'Oh Mum I'm feeling really sad' the little Lion said.
'I've got such negativity just running through my head.
It doesn't matter what I do or how hard I might try
the other Lions call me names. I try hard not to cry.
I cannot run as fast as them, or fight for very long.
But I still get there in the end; tell me Mum is that wrong?
And even though I try and try, my roar is not as loud,
but personally I think that I stand out from the crowd.

My tail is not as long and I have yet to make a kill
but Mum I always give my best, you know I always will.
I'll always try my hardest Mum; you know how much I care
and I recall the story of the tortoise and the hare.
They say that I have got no pride, and Mum that isn't true.
I care a lot about the things that every day I do.
I pride myself on having the Prides best interest at heart
plus do each task well, as one should and finish what I start.'

His little eyes grew wet with tears, his lips started to tremble
and Mother felt sorry for him, this cub who did resemble
his Father , who was big and strong, unbeaten in a fight;
who in his younger days also had Lions try his might.
'It's alright son you mustn't fret. Just always do your best.
You'll find through life so many times you'll be put to the test.
And it is more important to do a good job you know.
An honest job that is done right, and not one just for show.

I know you never give up, you are honest and persistent
and if errors at times you make you're always most insistent,
on trying to learn where you erred, and then putting it right.
You're a stayer not a player, and both caring and polite.
Other Lions will know your name, respect your wise decisions
and you will be the King of Beasts, ensuring no divisions
arise amongst the others in this the biggest pride
of Lions in this country, where the Mother does provide.'

So little Lion was mollified, he thought on what Mum said,
and after such a busy day he gladly went to bed.
His little eyes closed sleepily, his small paws twitched and waved
as Mother watched him fondly, her small Lion well behaved.
She knew that he had found his pride, his ego she had tended.
Life’s always full of difficulties but least said soonest mended.
You can’t take pride away, but confidence can be shattered
when harsh unfeeling words are said and innuendoes scattered.

Good one Maureen, I liked the hidden 'human element' analogy. I'll read that one to my grandkids at some stage.

Ron

Being the odd one out is so hard when you are young, if you can resist the urge to go with the flow then the odd one out should become instead, unique.

Nothing so confidence destroying for a child as not measuring up in his/her own eyes.
Wazza

Very good Maureen, and in one way reminds me a bit of the old song, 'Little White Bull'

Thanks everyone for your kind and positive comments and so glad you all saw the picture behind the words.

I've only just read this Maureen

It's brilliant. The words flow, the rhyming is perfect and, as others have mentioned, there's the underlying message. One of your best.

Regards, Jeff

Thanks Jeff the real story behind it is that it was written to have a shot at a somewhat tyrannical supervisor when I was still in the workforce who accused her 'team' of having no pride when we did not reach our targets one month. Her comment got right up my nose because I knew each and every one of us had all given more than 100% and Madam Lash knew squat coming up to Brissie from Melbourne as she did once a month to see what was going on in Hicksville. I think however the message went right over her head

Madam Lash ??

Yes we were pretty sure she was a dominatrix in a previous life.