Homework W/E 21/08: A Ridgie-Didge, Dinkum Aussie Bush Poem

[David Campbell]

I was told recently that bush poetry had to be about things that were “identifiably Australian”, and that this requirement could easily be satisfied by appropriate references…for example to “outback” and “stockwhip”, as well as terms like “drover’s mob” and “cattle drives”. Poems apparently become identifiably Australian through “snippets of terminology used”. Never one to argue with such insights I therefore offer this “identifiably Australian” poem jam-packed with relevant “snippets of terminology”.

A Ridgie-Didge, Dinkum Aussie Bush Poem

© David Campbell 09/08/17

The amazing bearded lady cracked her stockwhip in my ear
in an outback summer twilight as I downed an ice-cold beer
while the carousels and dodgem cars were thrilling billy-lids,
and the utes arrived in convoys over rusty cattle grids.

We were in old Snowy’s paddock with the mozzies and the dust
for the fun that comes with fairgrounds where enjoyment is a must
as the candy floss is sticking to each sweaty, childish face,
and the hot dogs and the sausage rolls are clutched in warm embrace.

“Bewdy, bonzer,” shouted Snowy, “come on, roll up, it’s begun,
time to get your Blunnies moving now the cattle drive is done,
for the mob awaiting dipping has been yarded for the night,
so it’s time to slap a sausage on the barbie for a bite!”

[Maureen K Clifford]

Oh well done you - not in any doubt of its Australianess The blunnies were a dead give away although the blowies seem to have taken a hike for the day Great use of the prompts David as well.

[Shelley Hansen]

Brilliant, David!

How does one follow that? It's enough to send my half-baked attempts flying into the rubbish bin!!!

(I note you have preserved perfect rhyme and metre - so all the criteria is covered!!)

Cheers
Shelley