ANTHRAX

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Frank Daniel

ANTHRAX

Post by Frank Daniel » Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:51 pm

ANTHRAX
by Frank Daniel Canowindra nsw


Missus Molly Mulligan baked bread late on Sunday night,
then, feeling tired, went to bed, to clean up at daylight.
She climbed in next to snoring Sam, elbowed him in the ribs,
prayed for all the lonely souls, asked a blessing for his nibs;
she spared a thought for allies in battle with Bin Laden;
thanked Joe Ryan the bookie for her big win in the maiden.

Sleeping soundly, mind at rest, till the early light of dawn,
she rose as fresh as ever; old Sam crawled out with a yawn.
The fire was stoked; the kettle boiled, a cuppa swiftly poured,
then seeing the mess she’d left behind Molly cried ‘Dear Lord!’
There’s ant-tracks in the flour – where I baked bread last night.
Ant-tracks! Right across the bench! – O, what an awful sight!’

As she made her exclamations, old Sam, with deadened ears,
thought Molly mentioned ‘Anthrax’ adding fire to his fears.
He’d polished off near half a loaf of Molly’s fresh baked bread;
Now his days were numbered – he’d be listed ’mongst the dead.
He felt pain throughout his body; saw rashes on his skin;
his wheezing indicated that his lungs ‘were caving in’.

He found lumps and bumps, scabs and scars that he’d forgot about
and reckoned that the time had come for him to peter out.
‘Damned Terrorists!’ he cried aloud, ‘go fetch me flamin’ gun!
Ring up the Vet and S.E.S! Get them out here on the run!
I’ll take the dogs and do a scout along the lower gully
The Taliban has hit the bush! Ring up Sandra Sully!’ *

‘Ring all the cockies round about; have them all alerted.
Tell Smithy ‘take the back road’-- in case he gets diverted!’
Now he’d really lost the plot, his thirst for blood not slacking;
he barricaded farm machines to hinder those attacking.
Molly, less her hearing aid, caught only half the story;
rang up Bessie Wilson, said ‘things could get rather gory!’

‘We’re over-run by foreigners; Sam’s found some fresh tank tracks
no thanks to Bush in Washington, we’re subject to attacks.
So get your boys and spread the news and scour the hills around,
flush out the blinkin’ enemy before they gun us down.’
Like Coo-ees in Gilgandra, hundreds gathered to the fray;
taking up positions to keep Afghanistan at bay.

They formed a big wide circle right around old Sam’s estate,
converging with great caution in a bid to save their mate.
There were men and boys, dogs and guns, lots of ammunition,
each heart set to fight as one accomplishing the mission.

A ’roo dog from McArthurs flushed out a startled rabbit
and bolted headlong after him (as was his normal habit.)
Fifty dogs took up the chase; the Shell Garage mechanic
started shooting wildly, bringing on a full scale panic.
Shots went high; they crossed the farm into the rear offensive
bullets sallied back and forth till each was in defensive.

Sam was in the cross-fire, underneath his Bedford truck,
as bullets whistled overhead he cursed his flaming luck;
alone he faced the onslaught, no help he saw forthcoming.
everyone had let him down, his heart was fairly drumming.
He fired left – he fired right - sent a volley far behind,
and riddled half the washing Moll left hanging on the line.

And when the barrage ended, the wild firing had ceased,
Sam turned up his hearing aid to listen to the peace.
He saw a white flag waving – assumed they meant surrender;
proud he was he’d saved the farm, a single sole defender.
And in the calm that followed, from the back-door Molly cried,
‘Would you like another cuppa dear? . . . Billy’s on inside’.

Sam and Molly now are heroes, never knew they were at fault
and are famous in the district for their Taliban assault.
And when Molly bakes on Sundays she cleans the mess away
keeping ant-tracks from her kitchen and the enemy at bay.
And on Anzac Day Sam marches with the RSL from town
and drinks his share of Toohey’s as he puts Osama down.

* News reader TEN Network


This poem won third prize ($2,500.00) in the last Womens Weekly written competition.

Jeff Thorpe
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: ANTHRAX

Post by Jeff Thorpe » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:01 pm

Should have won first Frank. Loved it.

Cheers, Jeff

Heather

Re: ANTHRAX

Post by Heather » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:04 pm

Fantastic yarn Frank. Thoroughly enjoyed the romp. Congratulations on your well deseved award. I'm with Jeff - it's a winner.

Heather :)

Frank Daniel

Re: ANTHRAX

Post by Frank Daniel » Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:45 am

Thank you Jeff and Heather,
First prize went to Marco Gliori.
Carol Heuchan won the Australian titles with this poem as well.
It has proved popular in my performances, along with 'Aunt Martha', 'Bernie' and 'Chuckin' Rocks', all old favorites with my audiences.
I'm just getting back into action with my shows and am taking bookings for next year already.
It's great to be back on the road again.
Joe

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Maureen K Clifford
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Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: ANTHRAX

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:50 am

Good on you Joe - great to see you sparkin' on 4 cylinders again - loved this, it is a pearler

Cheers

Maureen
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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