11/11 Found Poetry.

[Bob Pacey]

Been at the Sherry bottle again ! Nev



Bob

[Neville Briggs]

Sherry !! that stuff is only good for cleaning the silver.

[Heather]

You can clean silver with sherry? I could have used some of that last night then....

Heather

[Stephen Whiteside]

Family story.

My greatgrandfather was a senior official in the Federal Treasury. (His parents were living in Beechworth at the time Aaron Sherritt was shot by the Kelly gang. I also remember Ned on 11/11.)

For some reason, Gough Whitlam came into my greatgrandfather's office on one occasion. I imagine Gough's father had a meeting with him. I forget the details. I think Gough was about five years old at the time.

My greatgrandfather is reported to have said something along the following lines:

"Oh, that little Gough is a bright boy. He'll go far!"

[Neville Briggs]

Yes Stephen I also remembered Ned , for a short moment anyway on 11/11.

[Heather]

I don't remember Ned. I'm waay too young...


How'm I doing Neville....

[Stephen Whiteside]

Judges make good poets.
It rubs off on their daughters.
It enters the umbilical,
And mingles with the waters.

I see the poet's writing pad.
His false starts and his smudges.
I ask myself the question, then,
Do poets make good judges?

It wasn't God that brought me here,
And nor was it the devil.
I'm having all theeeeese twisted, blistered thoughts because of...
Neville.

Thanks Heather.

[Heather]

Poor Neville. Everyone picks on Neville. Stephen, stop picking on Neville!

And while we are talking about Neville, it should be "these" twisted thoughts (plural Stephen, you should know that!) - quick get in and change it before he sees it...


Good poem though!

[Stephen Whiteside]

Well it's all very well, Heather, but I fail to see how being married to a judge's daughter made Gough a better poet. At the very best, it's a long bow. Sounds to me more like the obsequious simperings of a retired copper to the judiciary - his natural superiors, perhaps?

[Heather]

Now, Stephen (and Neville), was Gough a poet, or a speech writer? And are they one and the same thing? Mmmmmm

Stephen, I really, really, really like way you have re-arranged your poem for greater impact! Great work!

As for simpering retired coppers and natural superiors, I'm not treading there - you're on your own doc!