ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

On the discussion about 'what is poetry'

I offer this piece. As I have said, I have only written free (or it this blank) verse on a couple of occasions. This is one of them.

Pollyanna Eyes
© Zondrae King (Corrimal) 05/08

It was, I think, a sports day at my school.
I just remember crying, coming last.
“It’s OK.” I heard my mother say.
“Did you expect to win?” she wisely asks.
I answer, “No.” “Then why the tears?”
“Just think how it would feel
if you really had the chance to win and then came last.
It would feel much worse than this.”

She smiles and gives a kiss.

“You should develop ‘Pollyanna’ eyes and learn to see,
that things in life which first appear to be
a great disaster, from your point of view,
can be the best thing that ever happened
for someone else and sometimes even you.”
This doesn’t help my five year old pride
and yet, I know she’s right,
deep down inside.

And through the years,
I learn.

My teenage daughter plans a party and it rains.
“It’s OK” I say. “There’s much less chance of gatecrashers
arriving at the door, and when not welcome
standing out the front and gathering in numbers on the street,
until the neighbours phone for the police.”
Our eyes meet.
“Oh Mum, you just don’t understand!”
She throws up her hands in a gesture of frustration.
- But I do, and she will too.

And through the years,
I hope that she will learn
to see the world through ‘Pollyanna’ eyes.

I am not sure Zondrae, what sort of label someone might put on it,

I don't think it matters. It doesn't need a label. I like it

It's a comfortable blend of free and rhyming verse, is it not? It flows well. It doesn't need a label.

We're agreed on something Stephen. Hooray

There is publication of contemporary poetry in that style.