I'm Back

[Bob Pacey]

I’m Back

It sat alone, deserted it’s front facia cracked and worn
paint work peeled in tattered strips, the curtains hung forlorn.
The timbers showed the hardships of the weather blow by blow
the roofing iron in rusting heaps lies buried in the snow.

The old stockyard and railings brought back memories to me
the hustle and the bustle of how things always used to be.
I can hear the horses neighing as the dogs all stand their guard
The cracking of the stock whips as the cattle reach the yard.

The yelling and the shouting from the ringers on the fence
as the new chum rides the outlaw and they laugh at his expense.
The dust and smell of burning as the cleanskins feel the brand
my mother in her moleskins dirt be splattered lends a hand.

The clanging of the cooks bell as he called us all for tea
but we ate out with the ringers my brother Bill and me.
We worked till daylight faded or until the job was done
the work was hard and tough but for us two kids it was fun.

We would sit late in the evening on the front porch in the haze
dreaming of when the rains would come, the sign of better days.
I loved the sound the rain made as it hit the roof of tin
the smell of new grass growing, the thunders deafening din.

We lost the farm when I was young, a lad of just sixteen
three years of drought and hardship destroyed my fathers dream.
The bank foreclosed and left us with no future in our sight
My Dad in sheer despair took his own life that night.

Mum and us we moved to town but her heart was broken to
the nurses at the respite care said there was nothing they could do.
Bill and I went into foster care for we had no family near
but we vowed to stay together that was mothers greatest fear.

I lost Bill in the great war, he did not make it home to me
so I became a wanderer foot loose and fancy free.
I knocked about in stock camps doing jobs that most would dread
the long yard was my only home but it stood me in good stead.

Life’s road was tough and torrid, but success would come at last
I vowed one day I would come home and finish off the task.
I brought the farm and homestead after years out on the track
I hope mum and dad can hear me when I tell the world

“ I’m Back “

Bob Pacey (C)

[alongtimegone]

"That's a bloody good'un." as my grandfather would say pointing out one of the melons in his back yard patch. Now tell me is there any truth to any of it?
Wazza

[Bob Pacey]

Some wazza some.


Bob

[Catherine Lee]

Great poem Bob - you really paint the picture well with sights, sounds and smells. It's a poignant story and I enjoyed reading it over a few times...love the last line.

[Bob Pacey]

Thank you very much Catherine, Comment such as those from someone with your talent is much appreciated.




Bob

[Heather]

Well done Bob.

Clearly I'm not the favourite any more!

[Neville Briggs]

Bob's never appreciated the comments from a person of my talent

[Heather]

Get with the program Bob!

[Maureen K Clifford]

There's another box of tissues gone down the gurgler

Not a fan of the

Mum and us

line though I have to say or the fact that Mums greatest fear was the fact that

we vowed to stay together that was mothers greatest fear.

That I suspect was not what you meant at all .... how about

We moved to town with Mum but her heart was broken to
the respite nurses told us there was nothing they could do.
Mum feared a foster home would see her two boys separated
we vowed to stick together and not become alienated.

[Bob Pacey]

HEATHER nudge nudge.

I kinda like it as it is Mausie that's me LOL.

Thank you Neville but you do not seem to have the same attraction

Don't pay any attention to them Catherine. Bloody stirrers

Bob