ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

I chose to use this month's challenge to write about my poetry journey - 65 years and counting!

OUT OF THE SHOEBOX
(c) Shelley Hansen 24/10/20

My mother always said I wrote a poem, aged just four -
I can't confirm or share the verse with you.
But mothers have long memories of points their children score
and so I must believe the story's true.

One thing I know for sure is that my parents gave to me
appreciation of the joy to read
fine books on many subjects that included poetry -
the love of learning central to their creed.

My mother liked life poems with a moral that could teach,
while Dad recited Banjo with a flair!
So from a very early age I stretched my mind to reach
the treasures of fine verse that waited there.

At school I wrote small poems for the friends I came to know
as suddenly, a wealth of words unfurled!
Two teachers in particular encouraged me to grow,
discovering great writers of the world.

Throughout the years I wrote of things at work and life at home -
the rollercoaster ride of what I'd seen.
And now and then I'd find a story if we chose to roam -
though holidays were few and far between.

I only shared my poetry with family and friends
and most of it avoided light of day -
just stuffed inside a shoebox with some other odds and ends,
all tied with ribbon, safely tucked away.

"Himself" would say from time to time, 'That poetry of yours
is threatening to overflow the brink!
It seems a shame to keep it locked away behind closed doors -
you should do something with it, don't you think?"

I paid him scant attention till retirement days drew nigh
with caravanning treks the place to be.
While on the road a writing competition took my eye -
and as they say ... the rest is history!

G/day Shelley
Good Story of your poetic journey and it seems it's been a long one at that.
Still it was all worthwhile Shelley - Just look at you now.

I was a bit like you, especially the closet poet bit, but nowhere as dedicated as you.
A scribbled rhyme or two and that seemed to be about the limit of my skill.
Prospecting especially at the remote camps in the goldfields was where it spluttered into life again.

Sometimes it's not a bad idea to look back at our own lives now and again - I enjoyed reading a bit about yours.

Regards

Terry

Thanks Terry - and yes, a lifelong journey for me!

Maureen says this was your suggested challenge - so thanks for inspiring a bit of introspection!

Delightful poem, Shelley - and I can relate to the beginning of it, as we've talked to each other before about how we both began writing poetry as children and in later years kept it to ourselves until a certain point in our lives. This is a most enjoyable read, and I love the way you've ended it too!

Thanks Catherine

That's a great story Shelley, I suspect lots of children start somewhere there but lose it along the way, you are fortunate you never lost the passion for poetry.

Thanks Neville, and you are right - most kids like poetry but it doesn't often persist across the teenage years and into adulthood.

That's one reason I'm passionate about actively encouraging kids who show aptitude for writing. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of zooming into a small Year 8 rural high school class who are engaged in a project about the relevance of bush poetry. We had a fabulous half hour under the guidance of their deputy principal. Two of the kids read original works - one a very good short story, and one a superb bush poem about her family's experience with drought. Amazing work for 12-13 year olds.

Cheers
Shelley

An excellent write Shelley and totally agree with Neville, most don't follow through with it. Like you I have been writing since I was pretty young. Eight years old I think I was when I started. Encouragement from teachers is so important. I loved reading your story.

Thanks Maureen and I absolutely agree with you.