ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Hope the first stanza doesn’t sound too morbid – it’s not meant to be.
I could go on and on with other mates I’ve known.

Old Mates Are Forever

I’ve been fortunate you’d have to say, with mates I’ve met along the way,
friendships that have stood the test of time, and though things change it never ends.
Sadly, nothing lasts forever though, as all who have grown old will know,
far too soon some journey’s end, as one by one, you start to lose your friends.

Memories come flooding back, of mates I met along life’s winding track;
how could I forget such men today, or of the friendship we once shared?
We were much like brother’s way back then – I’m blessed to once have known such men,
and it wasn't always easy then, and there were times when souls were bared.

I recall my opal days again, we came as boys, but left as men;
fifty years ago, I left that life, and yet my old mate still lives there.
In an old brush hut as hot as hell, our friendship grew, and trust as well,
yet despite how hard those days once were, such hardships we were glad to share.

For we made a pact to daily dig, until at last we hit it big,
Such a promise sounds so silly now, but young men live on dreams you know.
Then at last we found some decent finds, that helped to ease our worried minds,
But a restlessness that’s always there, had whispered it was time to go.

© T.E. Piggott

Not morbid at all Terry - a fact of live over which we have no control. We will all pop our clogs one day I like the way you wove the prompt into your story - nicely done

So many memories! They stay with us always.

Thanks Shelley & Maureen

Could do with another stanza between the first and second one - bit time poor at the moment.

Terry

Well I have added that other stanza not sure that it helps though.

Terry

Fits in well I reckon.

We came as boys but left as men - I just bet you did, Terry.... A lovely piece on friendship that also tells a story - when you share such unique experiences as this, the bond of friendship has a firm foundation and is built to last a lifetime.

Thanks Shelley

Hi Catherine

Coober Pedy was where it all really started for me I guess - I must one day try to write a proper poem along similar lines to this.

The mates I write of were special, we were searching for valuable and precious things. Both with Opal and gold.
It was not uncommon to hear grumbles from some people that they thought their mates were secretly hiding some of the things they found, be they Opal or gold nuggets. I can honestly say such a thought never crossed my mind with any of those blokes I worked with, we always shared everything – I hope they thought the same about me.
For two mates just to crouch and stare together at seams of gem quality opal was reward enough, and although we never found a fortune, we did have some wonderful finds - Gunther was my opal mining mate and we’re still friends to this day.
It was the same with my gold prospecting mates over many years, they were all top blokes and as honest as the day is long – I’ve been fortunate to have worked with them, and we shared some exciting moments too from time to time.

Terry