Re: START of the collaborative poem FOR HOMEWORK
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:25 am
COLLABORATIVE POEM - Writing Workshop
They cruised through ancient gorges, and past towering red stone cliffs
they stopped a while to load at Waikerie
and all the while the Murray simply flowed slowly along
past red gum forests and aged river scree.
The Paddlewheels turned slowly - and loud birdsong filled the air
the cerulean sky clear and cloudfree,
to right and left were vineyards struggling to grasp a hold
forerunners of a new wine industry.
MKC
The bow waves, in symmetry, rippled calmly to each bank
and lapped at ever changing watermarks,
and gave a sense of solace to a bloke of shady past,
as he pondered, the magistrates remarks!
But the chance to work a passage to a future unknown
gave hope to start afresh in new landmarks
so there upon the river he decided to reform
and have nought, but conscientious benchmarks!
R.B.
Reflecting on his Mary, whom he’d long ago let down
by bringing shady dealings to her door,
he cursed his gross stupidity and hoped in time to prove
his worthiness and win her love once more.
As paddlewheels rotated in a comforting refrain,
he pondered opportunities ahead;
a profitable future in a venture fresh and new—
a chance for happiness in life instead.
CL
The year was 1894 and time was ripe for change
at Waikerie – the place of “many wings” –
inhabited by birds that filled the wetlands and lagoons
and rose above the craggy cliffs like kings.
They’d granted him permission to be one of those who came
to form controlled expansion that involved
experimental settlement that may succeed or fail –
depending on what challenges were solved.
SJH
His Mary waited for him - she forgave his wicked ways
she saw the true man hiding in the shell
of the wastrel and the wanderer - the one who'd always fail,
who'd let her down and was a ne're do well
in some folks eyes, not hers it seems, for she loved this man true
and knew that he would make good given time.
They'd planned a life together - he was following his dream -
searching for land on which to grow the vine.
MKC
He sensed an opportunity was reaching out to him
this day, Just Waiting here for him to find.
Reminding him of not so long ago, when dreams and hopes
about a better life had filled his mind.
Away from squalid city life - a longing to be free
and leave behind the daily city grind.
Then settle down with Mary who had changed his wayward ways,
for which for many years he’d been so blind.
TEP
But in the world of shattered dreams and teary broken hearts
Alas! Poor Mary had not been alone,
for he had called himself Bill in his dealings of deceit
and what a devious path he had known!
But with the given names of, Cuthbert, Horace Percival,
he’d tried to leave that, all back in the past,
For he had sailed to Australia a remittance man
And ‘twas the ‘Old Dart’ where his mould was cast!
R.B.
But now, in this new land, the time had come to make his choice
to leave the past behind – begin anew -
not let past failings daunt him in a place where many shared
the secret sins that only convicts knew.
So as he stood with Mary on their vibrant virgin soil,
imagining the sunset on the vines
they’d plant and cultivate with sons and daughters by their side -
he felt a surge of hope, like mellow wines.
SJH
One hundred years have flown by it's now 1994
the PS Marion just chugs along
she's near one hundred years old too, her life full of changes -
though still her stalwart heart is going strong.
The vineyards on the river are all heavy with the grape
a bumper crop's been predicted this year.
On board a tall and rangy bloke - great, great grandson of Bill,
and Mary . He's an esteemed British peer
MKC
He knows about his forebear’s past and smiles a secret smile,
yet worries should the story now unfold.
For danger surely lurked here if the murky truth be known,
and lady Jane Felicity were told.
He ‘d told her that his family were all of noble stock,
the truth would stay a secret now he prayed.
Especially about the way their fortune came to be,
when Great Granddad had run the slavers trade.
TEP
The Baron, William Cuthbert leant at ease against the rails
watching the wavelets racing to the shore
He pondered on his title bestowed on him by the Queen
for poetry and writing - nothing more.
Today his real inheritance would fall into his hands
hard won by ancestors who'd gone before
The vines Granddad had planted years ago at Pooginook
on fertile floodplains close to Murray's shore.
MKC
And oh! How glad he was, that Great Grandfather changed his ways
of course, with thanks to William Wilberforce!
and now, he often thought how John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’
did his pursuit to be a scribe, endorse!
For now he was a Baron and vast wine estates were his,
so Gentry status now was guaranteed.
But! Just like rivers change, so too, the mind of Lady Jane
when, poison whispers, planted doubtful seed!
R.B.
She'd heard stories and whispers - he was thought beyond the pale
but Lady Jane was made of sturdy stock,
feisty and independent she was no weak hearted maid
her wedding plans held solid as a rock
Together they eloped and headed out for warmer climes
William, her poet, won that fair maids heart.
He could promise her nothing but his true undying love
and hard work as they both made a new start.
MKC
He'd some ideas to play with, though light-footed he would tread
and take on board his head mans expertise.
He thought perhaps a wine he'd name to try and curry favour
would be a Chardonnay - 'Felicities'.
A wicked sense of humour and a wordsmiths play on words
'Baron's Bordeaux-llo' label came to mind
A rich and feisty red aged long and gracefully in oak ,
full bodied, but the cost won't send you blind.
MKC
But feisty, though she was, her heart would melt with poetry
when weakened through her passion of fine wines,
and one named in her honour, and especially a chards’,
showed William, knew just how to read the signs.
For all their past uncertainties -were like the river flows-
forever gone, and really no great loss,
for adding to their assets, of poetry and fine wine
was an embracing, of the Southern Cross!
R.B.
She was oft' seen in the Vineyard with her secateurs in hand
walking the rows and pruning up the grapes,
and scattered cross the vineyard were one hundred dorset lambs
cropping the grass, with no thought of escape.
They were part of a brand new plan to market 'natural' wines
alongside those much loved throughout the years
Biodynamic farming from the grapevine to the plate
each one value adding to new frontiers.
MKC
To reduce their carbon footprint was a plan both embraced
the CO2 emissions under fire.
In the spotlight global warming - a buzz word now of sorts -
ignoring it caused situations dire.
Glass bottles could be phased out, shipping wine in bulk the go,
reduce the chemicals, make 'clean' the trend.
Challenges for the future now were coming thick and fast
it fell on them quality to defend.
MKC
They cruised through ancient gorges, and past towering red stone cliffs
they stopped a while to load at Waikerie
and all the while the Murray simply flowed slowly along
past red gum forests and aged river scree.
The Paddlewheels turned slowly - and loud birdsong filled the air
the cerulean sky clear and cloudfree,
to right and left were vineyards struggling to grasp a hold
forerunners of a new wine industry.
MKC
The bow waves, in symmetry, rippled calmly to each bank
and lapped at ever changing watermarks,
and gave a sense of solace to a bloke of shady past,
as he pondered, the magistrates remarks!
But the chance to work a passage to a future unknown
gave hope to start afresh in new landmarks
so there upon the river he decided to reform
and have nought, but conscientious benchmarks!
R.B.
Reflecting on his Mary, whom he’d long ago let down
by bringing shady dealings to her door,
he cursed his gross stupidity and hoped in time to prove
his worthiness and win her love once more.
As paddlewheels rotated in a comforting refrain,
he pondered opportunities ahead;
a profitable future in a venture fresh and new—
a chance for happiness in life instead.
CL
The year was 1894 and time was ripe for change
at Waikerie – the place of “many wings” –
inhabited by birds that filled the wetlands and lagoons
and rose above the craggy cliffs like kings.
They’d granted him permission to be one of those who came
to form controlled expansion that involved
experimental settlement that may succeed or fail –
depending on what challenges were solved.
SJH
His Mary waited for him - she forgave his wicked ways
she saw the true man hiding in the shell
of the wastrel and the wanderer - the one who'd always fail,
who'd let her down and was a ne're do well
in some folks eyes, not hers it seems, for she loved this man true
and knew that he would make good given time.
They'd planned a life together - he was following his dream -
searching for land on which to grow the vine.
MKC
He sensed an opportunity was reaching out to him
this day, Just Waiting here for him to find.
Reminding him of not so long ago, when dreams and hopes
about a better life had filled his mind.
Away from squalid city life - a longing to be free
and leave behind the daily city grind.
Then settle down with Mary who had changed his wayward ways,
for which for many years he’d been so blind.
TEP
But in the world of shattered dreams and teary broken hearts
Alas! Poor Mary had not been alone,
for he had called himself Bill in his dealings of deceit
and what a devious path he had known!
But with the given names of, Cuthbert, Horace Percival,
he’d tried to leave that, all back in the past,
For he had sailed to Australia a remittance man
And ‘twas the ‘Old Dart’ where his mould was cast!
R.B.
But now, in this new land, the time had come to make his choice
to leave the past behind – begin anew -
not let past failings daunt him in a place where many shared
the secret sins that only convicts knew.
So as he stood with Mary on their vibrant virgin soil,
imagining the sunset on the vines
they’d plant and cultivate with sons and daughters by their side -
he felt a surge of hope, like mellow wines.
SJH
One hundred years have flown by it's now 1994
the PS Marion just chugs along
she's near one hundred years old too, her life full of changes -
though still her stalwart heart is going strong.
The vineyards on the river are all heavy with the grape
a bumper crop's been predicted this year.
On board a tall and rangy bloke - great, great grandson of Bill,
and Mary . He's an esteemed British peer
MKC
He knows about his forebear’s past and smiles a secret smile,
yet worries should the story now unfold.
For danger surely lurked here if the murky truth be known,
and lady Jane Felicity were told.
He ‘d told her that his family were all of noble stock,
the truth would stay a secret now he prayed.
Especially about the way their fortune came to be,
when Great Granddad had run the slavers trade.
TEP
The Baron, William Cuthbert leant at ease against the rails
watching the wavelets racing to the shore
He pondered on his title bestowed on him by the Queen
for poetry and writing - nothing more.
Today his real inheritance would fall into his hands
hard won by ancestors who'd gone before
The vines Granddad had planted years ago at Pooginook
on fertile floodplains close to Murray's shore.
MKC
And oh! How glad he was, that Great Grandfather changed his ways
of course, with thanks to William Wilberforce!
and now, he often thought how John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’
did his pursuit to be a scribe, endorse!
For now he was a Baron and vast wine estates were his,
so Gentry status now was guaranteed.
But! Just like rivers change, so too, the mind of Lady Jane
when, poison whispers, planted doubtful seed!
R.B.
She'd heard stories and whispers - he was thought beyond the pale
but Lady Jane was made of sturdy stock,
feisty and independent she was no weak hearted maid
her wedding plans held solid as a rock
Together they eloped and headed out for warmer climes
William, her poet, won that fair maids heart.
He could promise her nothing but his true undying love
and hard work as they both made a new start.
MKC
He'd some ideas to play with, though light-footed he would tread
and take on board his head mans expertise.
He thought perhaps a wine he'd name to try and curry favour
would be a Chardonnay - 'Felicities'.
A wicked sense of humour and a wordsmiths play on words
'Baron's Bordeaux-llo' label came to mind
A rich and feisty red aged long and gracefully in oak ,
full bodied, but the cost won't send you blind.
MKC
But feisty, though she was, her heart would melt with poetry
when weakened through her passion of fine wines,
and one named in her honour, and especially a chards’,
showed William, knew just how to read the signs.
For all their past uncertainties -were like the river flows-
forever gone, and really no great loss,
for adding to their assets, of poetry and fine wine
was an embracing, of the Southern Cross!
R.B.
She was oft' seen in the Vineyard with her secateurs in hand
walking the rows and pruning up the grapes,
and scattered cross the vineyard were one hundred dorset lambs
cropping the grass, with no thought of escape.
They were part of a brand new plan to market 'natural' wines
alongside those much loved throughout the years
Biodynamic farming from the grapevine to the plate
each one value adding to new frontiers.
MKC
To reduce their carbon footprint was a plan both embraced
the CO2 emissions under fire.
In the spotlight global warming - a buzz word now of sorts -
ignoring it caused situations dire.
Glass bottles could be phased out, shipping wine in bulk the go,
reduce the chemicals, make 'clean' the trend.
Challenges for the future now were coming thick and fast
it fell on them quality to defend.
MKC