A Family Gathering

[Terry]

Most years my wife’s family hold a reunion. Of late they have been held at Busselton.
Valma is one of nine children so when they all gather including children and grand children
It’s quite a gathering. We have just returned a little the worst for wear, from the latest one.



A family Gathering

Where the Peppermints sway gently to the whisper of a breeze,
and the oceans song is soothing at this camp among the trees.
Here the family has gathered as it has done now for years,
and the peals of children’s laughter is like music to our ears.

There’s a happy buzz of voices ringing through the hall that night,
and you sense that special bonding as the clans again unite.
Women talk of families, then nurse a newborn so divine,
while the young bloods start their boozing, and the old blokes sip red wine.

When at last the party breaks up and you lay there counting sheep,
in a building old and creaky, where there's little hope of sleep.
There’s a constant sound of footsteps, and the possums have a ball,
while the snoring of the drinker’s echo loudly through the hall.

Bleary eyed you rise next morning as the children have their fun,
they’ve been full of youthful vigor since the rising of the sun.
Diehards from the night before, begin to slowly trickle out
they are full of false bravado, though they wince when children shout.

There’s another night to live through then we’ll all head off again,
to our many destinations, though it’s all been worth the pain,
Soon some tentative arrangements will no doubt be put in gear,
for the annual get-together here; about this time next year,



© T.E. Piggott 4/4/2011

[Bob Pacey]

Terry I envy you. My family is spread everywhere from New Zealand to Perth so very hard to get together and usually then only for funerals.

Sounds like you had a great time and a great poem.

Cheers Bob

[Terry]

G/day Bob,
There was probably about sixty there this year as quite a few couldn't make this time.
It's always good fun to catch up with everybody, but you do tend to over indulge in the
food and drinks department. Sleep is near impossible and you're glad to get home to catch
up on a bit of it, but we're all gluttons for punishment and look forward to rocking up to the
next one.

Cheers Terry

[Heather]

Sets a happy scene Terry.

One suggestion. First line in the second stanza - the word "that" seems to make that line past tense where the rest of the poem is in the present. "tonight" would fix it.

There’s a happy buzz of voices ringing through the hall that night,

Heather

[Terry]

Hi Heather,
You're right in of course, while I must admit this is just a fun one, that's no excuse to not do it properly.


Cheers Terry

[Heather]

Terry I would never tell YOU how to do it properly.