With Respect

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Ron
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With Respect

Post by Ron » Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:06 am

Homework July '21

With Respect.
© Ron Boughton. July 2021.

He trod a now familiar path –well past of feeling shame-
With whisky bottle empty and fob pocket nigh the same,
And often, more than not, with aching brow and weary feet
Was many times he’d wander, through the cut on Argyle Street.
Sometimes he’d have a stumble on the steep, sandstone stairway
That cut into the rock face, on the cuttings side walkway.
But of this area he’d written, those tales of ambush
About the scoundrel ‘Captain!’ and that ‘Someone from the Bush!’

But sadly now around ‘The Rocks,’ he’d trade a verse for drink
Just like in many of his haunts, in the urban precinct,
Where mateship for this genius renowned of the written word
Was refuge in the pubs, from routine life that torment blurred!
And sometimes through his deafness he would hear the church bells peal
As if, the Holy Trinity Church, had offered some appeal,
Though dealings with the spirits, often in his text defined,
But in all reality, he preferred the other kind!

One Hundred years, it will be next year, since he passed away
And drifted into history but remembered to this day
A giant of Australian literature, that, time has shown
The ‘peoples poet’ status, is forever set in stone!
And steam and horse drawn trams, also part of histories trails
Just like a soulful poet could at times drift from the rails.
And like, billowing sails of cloud cast shadow on the land,
So too there’s many battlers …feel the shadow of his hand!

Footnote: The steps at the side of the cutting were named the Merrimen steps and were later
demolished to make way for the Harbour Bridge.
The Holy Trinity Church (also known as the Garrison Church) is in Argyle Street Millers Point.

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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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Re: With Respect

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:46 pm

Reading this the immediate picture that sprung into my mind was the Argyle stairs in the Rocks area of Sydney - and ill lit corners frequented by the 'push' where a dim street light spreads a yellow glow in thickening fog. My imagination working overtime perhaps :lol: but I loved your poem Ron and you made excellent use of the prompts as well .... Nicely crafted.
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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Maureen K Clifford
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Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: With Respect

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:49 pm

I have taken the liberty of sharing this over to 'The Australian Rhyming Poets' page on FB - do hope you don't mind me doing so Ron .... https://www.facebook.com/AustralianRhymingPoets
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.

Ron
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Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:55 pm
Location: Blue Mtns.

Re: With Respect

Post by Ron » Mon Jul 05, 2021 2:02 pm

Thank you Maureen for your kind words and so pleased that you enjoyed it. Yes I think The Rocks at night wouldn't have been a good place to be in the days of the Push! :lol:
Also as you have said before, you never know where a set of prompts will take you!
I certainly don't mind at all you sharing it. (after all the poem wouldn't have happened without your prompts ;))
Although I am not on fb myself I do look at at times.
Thanks again
Ron

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

Re: With Respect

Post by Terry » Mon Jul 05, 2021 3:23 pm

G/day Ron

A really good poem mate with an excellent use of words that fit the story.
(I could also decipher that bit about the - shall we say (mongrel from the bush).
Not hard to see that you are a big fan of Henry's and why not - there's never been anyone better.

Cheers

Terry

Ron
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Location: Blue Mtns.

Re: With Respect

Post by Ron » Mon Jul 05, 2021 6:03 pm

Thanks Terry, glad you enjoyed it and good to see your deciphering is working well! :lol:
And yes mate we are on the same wave length with Henry, to me he will always be a cut above the rest!
Some will swear by Banjo, (with good reason) but for me it will always be Henry. :D
Cheers mate
Ron

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Catherine Lee
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Re: With Respect

Post by Catherine Lee » Tue Jul 06, 2021 12:42 pm

A wonderful poem, Ron. I saw it on Facebook first, and have just read it three more times here on the Forum. You have painted such clear images with sights and sounds, whilst penning a poignant and worthy tribute - this is great!

Ron
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Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:55 pm
Location: Blue Mtns.

Re: With Respect

Post by Ron » Tue Jul 06, 2021 6:16 pm

Many thanks Catherine, so glad you enjoyed it and to hear your kind impressions of it. :D
It can be amazing just where a set of prompts can take you once you get started.
Thanks again
Ron

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