Kookynie Memories

All Registered Forum Users can participate in the writing exercises for the current fortnight.
Users can also participate in comment and constructive feedback in this Workshop.

Moderator: Shelley Hansen

Post Reply
Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Kookynie Memories

Post by Terry » Fri Nov 15, 2019 2:23 pm

Pretty rough but just had to do something before the 18th
Had wanted to do something in the old style but ran out of time;
Next month maybe?

Kookynie Memories

Remember now that old bush pub, the one we called the Grand?
Where beer had flowed, and songs were sung there by an old bush band.
And talk of gold was all the rage around the bar back then
and you and I old mate swapped yarns with bearded mining men.

We camped at Eucalyptus in the shade of gimlet trees,
out where the nightly cry of Curlews drifted on the breeze.
And life was hard you’d have to say back in those times old mate
with damper washed by billy tea, the food we mostly ate.

By day we swung a pick and shovel; rolling up our sleeves;
at night the only sound out there was rattling of dry leaves.
But life was good you must agree for blokes like you and I,
with freedom found out in the bush, beneath a clear blue sky.

© T.E. Piggott

User avatar
Shelley Hansen
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
Location: Maryborough, Queensland
Contact:

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Shelley Hansen » Fri Nov 15, 2019 5:16 pm

I really like this Terry - it has potential to be expanded to competition standard.

Although perhaps not strictly in the style of Wordsworth and his mates, it still has an "old ballad" feel about it.
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")

User avatar
Maureen K Clifford
Posts: 8047
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
Contact:

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Sat Nov 16, 2019 1:32 pm

I like it and agree with Shelley as well Terry - with a little more work on it I reckon you could go places with this - it paints a historic picture, just needs the rest of the story told :D
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.

User avatar
Catherine Lee
Posts: 1304
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 pm
Location: Thailand

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Catherine Lee » Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:40 pm

Hi Terry, remember me...? Ha! Been away for a while but just signed on again today...I agree - As usual you instantly paint a clear picture, and I too think this poem has so much potential to be expanded.

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Terry » Mon Nov 18, 2019 1:09 pm

Hi Shelley , Maureen and Catherine

As I've said before. but don't mind repeating - you are very generous ladies.

Not trying to make excuses - well I suppose I am really.
I started on a project several months ago, that should have only taken a month or so to complete;
it's still not finished yet.
So apart from the odd rushed homework poem, I haven't written a full length poem for at least 8 months.
But the end of my problems is in sight so hopefully I can get back to serious writing again soon.

Cheers

Terry

Neville Briggs
Posts: 6946
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:08 pm
Location: Here

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Neville Briggs » Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:10 am

Good work Terry. I'm afraid I have to disagree, I think you have said all that needs to be said, I think we need to have faith that the reader can fill in the rest of the story, my view is that we need to leave something for the reader to do. I wouldn't change a thing of your poem. ;) :) :)
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.

Terry
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:53 pm

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Terry » Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:40 pm

Thanks Neville

I hear what you're saying mate and there's merit in your words.

My only comment regarding this poem is that it would have been nice to perhaps had enough time,
to have searched for a better choice of words in some places.
But then again we're never happy are we; always looking at better ways of doing things.

Cheers

Terry

User avatar
Shelley Hansen
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
Location: Maryborough, Queensland
Contact:

Re: Kookynie Memories

Post by Shelley Hansen » Fri Nov 29, 2019 5:53 pm

You raise an interesting and very valid point here, Neville - and it is one I've had to learn.

I've always been a person who likes everything to have an ending, tie off the ribbon, etc. But David Campbell gave me some very good advice with a poem of mine some 5 years ago - and I've always remembered it (though perhaps not always applied it!!)

It is simply - "show, don't tell". So as you say, don't hand the reader everything on a plate. Appeal to his/her intelligence and allow conclusions to be drawn without spelling them out.

It works. The poem I altered after he gave me that advice went on to win the Babies of Walloon trophy. It had been overlooked in previous competitions in its earlier format.

It is something worth noting for all of us, I think.

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")

Post Reply