H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:14 am

Well I might as well kick it off ... this is a little trite perhaps, but it is what it is ....


REALITY CHECK ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet


Angus looked damn belligerent - in fact he looked quite mad
He'd had enough of Covid and the whole world looking sad.
He'd had enough of drought and debt - his days were filled with angst.
His wife had up and left him, now he's battling the banks.
And now as if to thumb its nose at what was on his plate
he'd spotted fluttered wisps of smoke - I have to tell you mate
that Angus was now fuming, and was thinking 'bloody hell.
please don't send me a bushfire ' as he smelt an acrid smell.

He revved the old Ute's motor, checked the water tank was full,
made sure the pump was working as he gave the cord a pull.
He checked that the equipment needed was all stored on board
then jumped behind the wheel and the accelerator floored,
spinning the ute on gravel, throwing stones to left and right
speeding down the track at breakneck speed - a bloody fire to fight.

He pushed up through the paddocks with his anger tight controlled,
through the grass that Mother Nature had painted parchment and gold
in the distance a dull red glow like samphire bushes glimmered
and seeing it his temper sizzled, boiled and slowly simmered
realizing that 'twas campers who had nearly done him in
with a camp fire unattended an unforgivable sin.
Quick he doused the flames and ashes till they sputtered, darkened, died
and surveyed the mess scattered around. Some people had no pride.

Empty bottles, tins and packets - just discarded where they fell.
Quick he gathered them and bagged them up - a story they would tell.
On his mobile phone a quick call made, alerted local police
to patrol and catch the campers - get some recompense at least
with a stiff fine quick inflicted - for the country's biggest curse
is the stupid city slicker who lets fire loose - None worse.

His temper slow abating, he took time to slake his thirst
from the water bags of skin he carried. Then he slow reversed
the Ute, to turn its head for home and head along the track
but this time somewhat slower, now no hurry to get back.
He took the time to think a bit, to analyze his trouble
He took on board what he must do - and burst the little bubble
he'd been sheltering in for too long, a reality check for sure
He could throw the towel in right now or stay on and just endure.

He could try and mend some fences, pull together with the wife
who had left, he now admitted, 'cause she couldn't stand the strife
of his moods and wicked temper - he'd made her his whipping boy,
undeserved and unacceptable. Tactics he must employ
to make amends, to show he loved and valued her so much.
He would rein in his dark side, seek to find a gentle touch.

***Angus is looking pretty suave, he's trimmed his beard and all.
Put on his suit, polished his boots and now he's off to call
on his missus - she moved into town, though town life she found sad
she missed her country acres and her bloke - who wasn't bad
just another country farmer battling banks and bloody drought.
Suffering from black depression. That was common hereabouts.
Well I'm pleased to say they made it - and next week they both espouse
to each other once again by renewing their wedding vows.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

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Catherine Lee
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Re: H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Catherine Lee » Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:09 pm

Good story, Maureen, with a positive ending to show that “It’s never too late, in fiction or in life, to revise.” (Nancy Thayer).

Thanks so much for bringing us all back into focus with the prompts we all look forward to in order to challenge ourselves and bring inspiration.

It sounds as if you’ve had a hard time recently, and I’m very sorry to hear this. It’s wonderful to know that whoever we are and whatever our personalities, we here on the ABBA Forum are all mates who share a unique and valuable bond!

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Shelley Hansen
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Re: H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Shelley Hansen » Fri Feb 26, 2021 7:57 am

Yes, great story Maureen - and I'm sure it has been repeated in real life more than once! As Catherine says, there's nothing like a happy ending. Love that quote, Catherine!

Great to see you up and running again - and leading the way by example with translating the prompts into poetry!

Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com

"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")

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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Fri Feb 26, 2021 5:18 pm

Thank you Catherine and Shelley - good to be doing something with people that make me feel happy and also happy to inspire others as well. I did indeed have my own reality check Catherine and it has been a shock I have to say, but a lesson well learnt from it for me, and as my Mum often used to stay words will never hurt you ... no indeed, but they will never be forgotten either . Save us all from the negative and stupid people that life casts before us.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/


I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.

Terry
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Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Terry » Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:31 pm

G/day Maureen

I reckon that is really good yarn and very well told as well.

Angus with the weight of the world on his shoulders; the missus has done runner - thing are fla'men crook.
But like all good stories it has a happy ending.

I'm beginning to wonder if my one will even get to the starting post, at the moment it's going around in circles.

Cheers and well done

Terry

Ron
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Re: H'work for w/e 15.3.21 ....REALITY CHECK

Post by Ron » Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:16 pm

A good story Maureen, enjoyed it. Yes it is amazing how some need a good jolt to make them count their blessings!
Cheers
Ron

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