ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

BROKEN … Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet


It was survival of the fittest; it was just a step beyond
all the rows of churchyard stones that had waited for so long
surrounded by broken bottles, their supernatural song
had caused the metamorphose of the man –
count to ten and overcome it if you can.

He saw the sad faced women as they walked the paths of grey.
He saw the pity on their face as they all looked his way.
Another drunk, a yobbo, one who had seen better days
but then he saw the point of impact claim
their faces as they saw this bloke was maimed.

A step beyond the churchyard stones he’d seen horrors of war.
He came to be here with his mates, the ones who’d gone before
whilst he remained, a shattered man with nothing to live for.
A bottle was right now his closest friend.
Oblivion it offered at day’s end.

Each day he made his pilgrimage and passed through the lych gates
and sat beneath the gum tree’s shade – sharing time with old mates
the brown bottle with solace filled removing fear and hates
'a pointless life' some say. They may be right.
But they don’t live the horrors of his night.

Very interesting Maureen but one must read between the line to see the truth about what some of these peoples have encountered.


Bill Williams

A reminder, Maureen, that we can be quick to judge without understanding or compassion.

I can relate to this poem, and I found it both moving and confronting, as we can all at times fail to see the humanity.

It is easy to judge when we don't walk in other peoples shoes Every person we meet has a story to tell

I think the long lines slow the pace, which seems to me very suitable for the mood here. Good work Maureen.

When I worked in the inner city of Sydney in the late 60s and early 70s, the streets of Ultimo, Haymarket and Central Railway were "home" to dozens of down and out blokes on the brown muscat and metho.

One little niggle, sorry I think you meant " metamorphose " in line 4.

Thank you Neville and thanks for spotting the error as well

Very thought-provoking Maureen. We look at people every day and don't know the trials they have or are facing. A good reminder that it costs nothing to be kind.

Cheers
Shelley

Absolutely! Kindness is sometimes underrated these days, yet so important. Good poem Maureen, and a reminder to us all that we should never judge or generalise.