H/work for w/e 6.5.19 - A BIT OF A STOUSH

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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 6.5.19 - A BIT OF A STOUSH

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:29 am

A BIT OF A STOUSH ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet

He'd claimed squatter's rights from the Crown on this land where
he built up his herd to the envy of some,
were any to query his rights to this soil then
arguments were lost at the point of a gun.
He'd married and done well and raised him a fine son,
the light of his life, a young bloke well bred
whose love of the land - well 'twas second to none,
he would fight to keep it, no more need be said.

And when War drums rattled and played the old Anthem,
young men of this nation rallied to the call
all thinking a stoush would be merely a lark
and over by Christmas - a one sided brawl.

When they disembarked in the shadow of pine trees
that stretched gaunt and slender limbs naked and bare
upwards to the clouds in the blue sky cathedral
'longside marble mosques and tall minarets where
Muezzeins called the faithful to prayer and to worship
from atop the minaret was their voice heard.
The Aussie blokes claimed it was like a cat screeching
and found the whole exercise somewhat absurd.

But more pressing things there were, soon to employ them,
a stoush it was waiting and Turks were the foe
all rumours claimed they would fight at Gallipoli,
an error of judgment as now we all know.
For eight months they fought and all earned the name ANZAC's
they fought for their country 's pride and to survive
a costly unsuccessful campaign of bloodshed
and they were cannon fodder eaten alive.

Young diggers, old donkeys and abject despair reigned
all constantly pounded by a fusillade
of shots from the towering cliffs and Turkish gunners
who had the blokes trapped in a cruel enfilade.
Young Simpson saved many - he carried no weapon,
was just twenty two when a shot found its mark.
A young stretcher bearer whose donkeys saved many
a bloke who knew war was no walk in the park.

Some say he was brave others called him a whinger,
A Pom from South Shields who ne'er called Aus his home
But Aussies have claimed him and named him a hero
each year we revere his memory as our own.

And back in Australia an old man grew weary
his blue eyes grew rheumy, his back arched with pain.
He'd buried his wife 'neath the blossom of wattle
and wondered would he see his young son again.
Sixty thousand men lost - War Gods show no mercy
but this son survived and he did make it back,
to live once again on his Father's selection
and nightly quelled demons with finest Cognac.
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.

Neville Briggs
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Re: H/work for w/e 6.5.19 - A BIT OF A STOUSH

Post by Neville Briggs » Wed May 01, 2019 3:47 pm

I'll bet that the Australian soldiers who go to today's hot spots are not under any illusion of a jolly adventure.
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: H/work for w/e 6.5.19 - A BIT OF A STOUSH

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Fri May 03, 2019 5:44 pm

I agree Neville - with the advent of social media we are all too well aware of what exactly goes on in the world and usually just minutes after the event.
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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Shelley Hansen
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Re: H/work for w/e 6.5.19 - A BIT OF A STOUSH

Post by Shelley Hansen » Tue May 28, 2019 4:04 pm

You've been flying a lone flag in the Writing Workshop for these past weeks, Maureen. Well done, you!

I do apologise for my non-participation in homework and the Forum in general. We've had a rather solid round of things that have taken my attention elsewhere.

You are probably rightly discouraged - but please don't be! Give us some more homework prompts and I'll do my best to regenerate the little grey cells!

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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