Barraba in Winter

[Wendy Seddon]

Barraba in New South Wales is either hot or cold,
the heat will melt the rubber off your thongs!
The winter frost so cruel that events are put on hold -
it freezes bunyips in their billabongs!

Spending winter holidays out there at Nan and Pop’s -
some cousins, two or three, would be there too.
Wrapped up in our hats and coats on errand to the shops,
would slip and slide through ice as children do.

Threepences were slipped into each mittened hand by Pop,
for bags of broken bickies from the store.
Mr. Myers always dropped a butterscotch on top,
was in our mouths before we made the door!

Cold and wet and laughing we all tumbled through the gate,
and huddled ‘round the old black fuel stove.
We all knew what was coming and not one of us could wait,
for one of many stories our Pop wove.

We’d have our mug of Milo, not too steamy but just right.
Bathed before the fire - top and tail.
The last one in the old tin tub, the youngest cousin’s plight,
then gramma pie and custard without fail.

Five abreast we’d huddle up along a threadbare couch,
anticipation such that no-one spoke.
No-one dared to fidget, perfect posture, not a slouch,
as we waited for our Pop’s electric coat!

No on/off switch, no cord was seen to plug into a wall,
the secret safely kept behind our grins.
We knew that magic heated it because it warmed us all,
as soon as it was tucked beneath our chins!

Innocence belonged to us, we’d not a worldly care,
No loss of loved ones scoured our hearts till raw,
That old grey woolen garment was our Nan and Pop’s despair,
‘twas our Uncle’s greatcoat from the war.

[Catherine Lee]

Ah, such a delightful poem of the "days of innocence", Wendy. There are some lovely memories here, and the first two lines of the last stanza are most poignant... I also love the line about the bunyips!

[Shelley Hansen]

Love it, Wendy - so good to have you back!

Catherine stole my thunder - I too love the "bunyip" line!

Looking forward to m any more posts from you

Cheers
Shelley

[Wendy Seddon]

Thanks ladies, a bit of a rushed one but enjoyed being challenged. again.

[Ron]

Good on you Wendy, well done.
You took me on a trip down memory lane to my own childhood, so many things I can relate to with my own Grandparents on their old farm.
Really enjoyed the read.
Cheers
Ron.

[Terry]

Great to read another one of yours Wendy (where have you been, you've been missed?)

Like mentioned before your poem took us back down memory lane,
to those wonderful happy days of Childhood.

Terry

[Wendy Seddon]

Thanks Terry.
I kind of let life happen around me.
Me time again now, as much as I can manage it!

[Maureen K Clifford]

Another ripper of a poem and I totally understand that life sometimes just happens and time gets away. I enjoyed also that walk down memory lane - thank you Wendy for reminding us. I well remember my Mum sending me to the local co-op to get groceries and always on her list was a bag of broken biscuits, which were a great treat as in those days (post war) things were indeed tough.